Imagine this: a 21-year-old making waves and pulling in around $1 million with NIL deals, and he just scored his dream partnership with a brand! This Texas Longhorn Track & Field star isn’t just about the athletics; he’s also a social media whiz. With over 4 million followers on TikTok and more than a million on Instagram, Sam Hurley is proving that you don’t have to be a football or basketball player to crush it in the NIL game.

Hurley has teamed up with brands like Raising Cane’s, Hollister, Passes, and TurboTax, showing everyone that athletes from all backgrounds can shine. Plus, he’s represented by WME Sports, which just adds to his cool factor. With the 2028 LA Olympics in his mission, Hurley’s grinding away—building his social media game and perfecting his high jump and pole vault skills. But for now, he’s riding high on the excitement of this amazing deal coming together.

Texas Longhorns athlete scores big with brand partnership!

Sports Illustrated’s NIL Daily caught up with Sam Hurley to discuss his exciting new partnership with Red Bull, which marks a full-circle moment for him. He expressed how his admiration for the brand runs deep, recalling how he grew up watching Red Bull athletes and loving extreme sports. His favorite skaters, snowboarders, and surfers were always associated with Red Bull, making this collaboration even more special for him.

It’s clear that for Hurley, being associated with Red Bull feels like the ultimate badge of coolness. He reminisced, saying, “So to me, it’s like, ‘oh, to be cool, you’ve got to be with Red Bull.’ Like that’s just step one.” As he matured, his appreciation for the brand only deepened. He noted that he’s come to understand the remarkable work behind the scenes, beyond just the thrilling images.

Hurley emphasized that “They do the craziest projects and they have the best support for their athletes,” showcasing Red Bull’s innovative, athlete-focused approach. For him, signing with Red Bull is more than just a sponsorship; it’s about joining a family of athletes who inspire him and share his love for adventure. So, how did his NIL journey lead him to become a Texas Longhorn?

From NIL dreams to Track and Field stardom

This track and field star started his spotlight journey at just eight, showcasing trampoline jumps and skateboarding tricks on YouTube. Growing up in northwest Arkansas, he was born to a real estate developer and his mom Kristy, plus he’s got two brothers, Turner and Hootie, cheering him on! From an early age, Sam was all about sports; by 14, he was already dunking a basketball at 5 feet 6 inches. And now? Well, now he’s a towering 6 feet 2 inches!

Things took a turn when Sam’s parents divorced in eighth grade, leaving him feeling adrift without his brothers. However, everything changed in his freshman year when he discovered TikTok. His early videos of backflips into the water quickly went viral, and suddenly, he was racking up views like crazy. Embracing the fun side of social media, he posted everything from leaf jumps to waking up to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.” As brands began reaching out with cash offers, Sam realized, “I can make a career doing this.”

In just six months, he hit a million TikTok followers. A trip to New York at 15 turned into a wild fan frenzy, with screaming girls causing a mini-riot! His mom, a former cheerleading star, became his manager and even started guiding other influencers. That summer, he teamed up with other social media stars like Josh Richards, soaking up the attention and even landing a modeling gig with Polo Ralph Lauren.

While Sam was killing it online, he was also crushing it on track, but not everyone at school was on board. Jealous classmates threw shade at the track and field prodigy, so he switched to virtual school to dodge the drama. Once he got settled in, he snagged the title of Gatorade’s Boys Track & Field Player of the Year in Arkansas. When the NIL rules changed and let athletes cash in on their fame, he jumped at the chance to go to college. He chose Texas and quickly proved he was more than just an influencer, landing deals with brands like Amazon and Jimmy Dean while making waves on the Longhorns Track & Field team!