Before the podium, before the jersey, before the social media welcome video—many athletes today are making a very different kind of announcement. It’s not about where they’re headed in the draft, but who they’re signing with in the collectibles world.

Panini and Fanatics have turned exclusive autograph contracts into an early scouting war. And in 2024 and 2025, that war has escalated—sometimes as early as high school.

Take Vernell Brown III, a four-star Florida commit who signed an exclusive NIL deal with Panini while still in high school. He’s part of a growing trend of athletes getting locked in long before their pro debuts. This strategic shift has redefined the recruiting landscape—not just for schools and scouts, but now for memorabilia giants, who are locking in talent earlier than ever.

Recent Big Signings

Here’s a breakdown of notable exclusive signings heading into and around the 2025 NFL Draft. Fanatics dominated the 2024 draft, picking up three of the highest profile QBs from the first round. Panini has made big splashes for the 2025 draft, including singing both Colorado superstars Travis Hunter and Sheduer Sanders; as well as their most recent signing–Arch Manning, who already has signed photos, helmets, and jerseys available on the Panini Site.

Player - Status - Signed With - Notable Auto (Linked)

• Shedeur Sanders - 2025 Draft Prospect - Panini - 2023 Dino-Might Auto (eBay)

• Travis Hunter - 2025 Draft Prospect - Panini - 2024 Wild Card Sweets Auto (eBay)

• Arch Manning - 2026 Draft Prospect - Panini - 2023 Flawless Sapphire RC Auto (eBay)

• Jayden Daniels - Drafted #2 (2024) - Fanatics* - 2024 Topps Now Rookie Auto (Fanatics)

• J.J. McCarthy - Drafted #10 (2024) - Fanatics* - 2024 Panini Gold Standard Auto [Fanatics]

• Bo Nix - Drafted #12 (2024) - Fanatics* - 2024 Topps Chrome Future Stars Auto  [eBay]

• Cam Skattebo - 2025 Draft Prospect - Fanatics* - “Nobody Can Stop Me” Signed Football [Fanatics]

• Jaxson Dart - 2025 Draft Prospect - Fanatics* - 2022 Bowman University Chrome Jaxson Dart 1st Bowman Gold Lava Auto [eBay]

• Emeka Egbuka - 2025 Draft Prospect - Fanatics* - 2023 Bowman University Chrome 1st Bowman Gold /50 [eBay]

* Listed under exclusive athlete on Fanatics Here


Top 2025 Prospects Still Unsigned

Not every elite player has signed an exclusive—yet. Here's a short list of 2025 NFL Draft hopefuls that collectors are watching closely:

• Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)

• Will Howard (QB, Ohio State)

• Cam Ward (QB, Miami)

• Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)
  

Should any of them ink deals ahead of the 2025 season, expect early autos and NIL memorabilia to follow shortly after.

Why Sign Exclusive?

It’s no secret—these deals come with guaranteed money, sometimes in the six- or seven-figure range, plus royalty structures on card sales. For athletes already generating buzz through NIL opportunities, it’s a logical next step. These exclusive deals aren’t just one and done, they have turned into multi-year agreements that benefits both the player and the brand. 

From the brand side, Fanatics and Panini see this as a hedge on future hype. Signing players before they become stars ensures early product exclusivity, and in many cases, a competitive advantage in the rookie card market. These deals are for more than just these players’ signatures–it’s for their platform. 

Pros and Cons for Collectors

Pros:

• Early access to "first autos" before NFL debut

• Defined scarcity and exclusivity depending on the signing

• Potential to collect an entire 4
  

Cons:

• No NFL logos in pre-draft/NIL releases

• Depending on the signing, there’s a chance you won’t find your favorite players auto in your favorite pack

Hobby Takeaway

So what can we expect in the years ahead? 

More. 

More exclusive autograph deals. More high school athletes signed before they’ve even stepped onto a college campus. More 360-style contracts that turn rookies into full-blown brand ambassadors, appearing in marketing campaigns, social content, and public activations. For Fanatics, this model is baked in. For Panini, it’s a play to stay relevant as they face losing their official league licenses. We've already seen both sides go all-in, locking in names like CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, and Victor Wembanyama before their rookie cards even hit the shelves. Expect this trend to accelerate, at least until the consumer feels squeezed by rising prices or limited access. But until then, the arms race for talent will keep intensifying as Fanatics and Panini fight for collector attention and brand supremacy.

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