TicketsWe debriefed the decadence of Atlanta in Part One. Now, we pivot from the past and peer into the future: what the next year has in store for the Cincinnati student-athletes.
Jalen Hunt made it known that football was nothing but his top priority for the fall. He said he simply wants people to know who he is: "a laid-back dude that likes to listen to music and play sports while working to be the best person I can be."
He also noted that one of his defensive line teammates discussed starting a YouTube channel on their unit for fans to learn about what it takes and getting to connect them.
"With this year, I'm not too focused on the NIL part once the season starts," he said. "Then, it's about helping my team and coaches win a championship and not how it was last year. I do want to bring more content to my social. I know that's a big part of it, but not all there is."
Hunt also said the experience has inspired him to meet more student-athletes away from the gridiron. Gucky pointed out that the importance of this pivotal time of her life, and others', for growth.
"People say so many times that they don't care (about branding)," she said. "You will at some point, and the people who are most successful not just numbers-wise, but in life, don't let other things eat them alive.
"I'm just trying to meet and connect with more people, including in our own athletics department who I don't know. Now, being friends with Evan, Jalen and Gabby, you realize we're all going through the same stuff. I can only meet more."
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Gucky listed family, honesty and sport as three of her core values, in addition to fashion and simply keeping herself occupied, while still admitting she needs to make time to catch her breath. Her love for the special needs community has also shaped her world.
"I have a special needs brother (Costello syndrome, affects fewer than 300 people worldwide) and a cousin with Down syndrome, and people don't really understand that part of it all the time," she said. "I love meeting people and the special needs workers in the Varsity cafeteria. I talk to them all the time and want to get more into that community. I've been surrounded by it my whole life, and it develops a lot of patience and tests me in so many ways, particularly how deep you can love someone too and not judge others for what they may be going through."
Guenther, the youngest member of the Bearcats' contingent as a rising sophomore, said she will take a measured approach, especially as school starts and the academic, athletic and social demands increase.
"From the summit, I'll take being authentic and don't worry about what others are thinking," she said. "Keep posting content, thinking of new ideas and building your brand. You do have to remember time management, because if you're feeling down and sleepy, don't do the extra content. Just take your time."
Many people will say that in any defeat, you should learn something.
And yet, the 2024 NIL Summit proved that even champions can do that too. The journey for a repeat has begun.
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