As NIL money continues to pour into high school and college athletics, a new and controversial figure has emerged at the center of recruiting: the so-called “street agent.” With millions of dollars now available through Name, Image, and Likeness deals and direct payments from schools, coaches and administrators are sounding the alarm about unregulated middlemen who insert themselves between athletes and their earnings.
These street agents, who are often not certified agents or attorneys, promise to help athletes secure college scholarships and NIL deals. But many critics say their true goal is to carve out a percentage of the athlete’s money — sometimes before the athlete even receives it.
NIL Boom Creates New Opportunities — and New Risks
Street agents existed quietly before NIL became legal in 2021, but their presence has exploded in recent years as the financial stakes have skyrocketed.
“I think it’s almost at a crisis, to be honest,” said Joe Martin, executive director of the Texas High School Coaches Association. “We’ve got situations where street agents are moving kids from place to place and charging them a lot more money than they should.”
High school athletes are especially vulnerable. Unlike college athletes, they don’t have compliance departments, legal advisors, or experienced staff guiding them through contracts. Many are navigating life-changing financial decisions on their own.
Street agents can come from anywhere, former athletes, trainers, coaches, parents, or individuals claiming connections to NIL collectives. They often reach players through social media, AAU programs, and private training facilities.
Unlike professional sports leagues, there is no national certification requirement for agents working with high school or college athletes.
Survey Reveals How Common Agent Involvement Has Become
The impact is already widespread.
In a survey of 1,000 college athletes, 18% said someone helped them with NIL deals while they were still in high school. Of those athletes, 67% said they agreed to give that person a percentage of their earnings. The median agent cut was around 20%.
Even more concerning, many coaches believe those agents are not acting in the athlete’s best interest.
In a survey of Texas high school football and basketball coaches:
- About 25% said their athletes had been approached by agents
- 70% of those coaches said they did not trust the agents’ intentions
Some agents charge upfront fees, while others take percentages of NIL deals or scholarship opportunities.
One coach wrote bluntly: “All these ‘agents’ are a money grab for themselves.”
When Representation Turns Into Exploitation
Some stories have gone beyond concern — into outright controversy.
One widely circulated case involved Texas high school football player Draden Fullbright. After Fullbright committed to Oklahoma State with an NIL deal worth about $36,000 per year, his street agent demanded 25%.
When Fullbright resisted, the agent sent angry and aggressive text messages demanding payment.
According to officials familiar with the situation, the agent’s behavior nearly cost Fullbright his opportunity altogether.
Fullbright later cut ties with the agent, saying he felt misled and pressured.
Stories like this have become warning signs for coaches across the country.
Craig Bohl, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association, said when he saw the messages, “They made my skin crawl.”
Agents Taking Cuts Larger Than Professional Standards
The financial demands from street agents often exceed what certified professional agents receive.
In the NFL:
- Certified agents earn about 3% of player salaries
- They earn 10–20% on endorsement deals
Yet street agents often demand 20–30% of NIL money, even though they don’t control the market value of the athlete.
Former NFL safety Derrick Gibson said many athletes actually lose money by using these agents.
“When it comes to your NIL money, he should not have 20%,” Gibson said. “Your number is not going to change. I’ve seen agents mess up deals.”
Some agents even attempt to lock athletes into lifetime agreements, taking a percentage of earnings long into their careers.
Regulation Is Coming — But Slowly
Despite growing concern, regulation remains limited.
The NCAA currently has little authority over NIL agents. College athletes also lack a union to certify or regulate representation.
However, lawmakers are beginning to act.
A bill introduced in Congress would:
- Require agents to register with the state
- Create a national agent registry
- Cap agent fees at 5%
Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into whether agents are violating existing athlete protection laws.
Coaches and organizations are also trying to educate athletes and families about the risks.
Joe Martin said colleges in Texas are now working more closely with high school coaches to monitor agent involvement.
“Solving this problem will require everyone working together,” he said.
The New Reality of College Sports
NIL has changed college sports forever, creating financial opportunities athletes never had before.
But with that opportunity has come a wave of unregulated individuals trying to profit from young athletes.
While some agents provide legitimate guidance, many others operate without oversight, experience, or accountability.
Until stronger rules are put in place, high school athletes may remain the most vulnerable targets in the new era of college sports.
And as the money continues to grow, so does the urgency to protect the players earning it.
