One More Year: NIL fundraiser helps secure return of key Michigan football players

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When Valiant Management launched the One More Year Fund earlier this month, the organization hoped to encourage some of the Michigan football players who were undecided about their futures to commit to another year with the Wolverines.

The results went about as well as they could have hoped. The One More Year Fund has already raised some $104,400 in supporter contributions. And the four players Valiant named — Blake Corum, Cornelius Johnson, Trevor Keegan, and Zak Zinter — have all announced they’ll play for Michigan in 2023.

“We are grateful for the huge outpouring of support and love for the Michigan football team,” Justin Roh, Director of Partnerships at Valiant Management, told TMI.

“The purpose of the One More Year Fund was: to show Michigan’s student-athletes the power of the Michigan network as they made decisions about their future; and to give the entire fanbase the chance to participate in Valiant’s NIL efforts in a meaningful way. Clearly the fans responded, and we're excited to see how many players have made the decision to come back and join Team 144.

“The future of Michigan football and Michigan NIL has never been brighter.”

The One More Year Fund is but one piece of Name, Image and Likeness opportunities for Michigan football players, and NIL is but one factor in a player’s decision to return. Every player may have different reasons for staying or going.

Still, the One More Year Fund seems to have made an impact. Corum said his return was “business decision,” expressing his desire to earn a Michigan degree while building a bigger legacy and acknowledging the role of NIL. The running back referenced the One More Year Fund as also influencing Zinter and Keegan’s futures.

“Help bring my O-line back. We need them big holes,” Corum said. “… Hopefully once they hear this, and we can find out a way to get them a bit of dough, they’ll come back and be ready to pave the way and keep this thing pushing.”

And while the One More Year campaign named four players, it’ll benefit all players who were on the fence — including DT Kris Jenkins, who on Monday announced his return.

“This kind of NIL program is what will, at least in the short to medium term, benefit college football as a whole,” U-M Regent Jordan Acker said. “It’s a program other schools’ collectives should replicate.”

Valiant says its goal is “to raise as much money as possible to increase the likelihood that all key members of the Michigan football team return for the 2023 season.” The organization says 100% of proceeds will go to returning football players.

Valiant Management is one of four collectives that was endorsed last month by U-M Athletic Director Warde Manuel.

“Updated guidance from the NCAA national office has expanded the scope of NIL offerings to entities known as collectives, which are third-party groups external to Michigan Athletics but who combine resources and expertise to provide NIL opportunities to our students,” Manuel wrote last month. “At this time, Michigan Athletics enjoys the support of four collectives, each notable in their own ways, that are actively working to provide our student-athletes with NIL opportunities.

“… We welcome your support of these four organizations and the continued financial support of our partners, fans and supporters in ensuring that Michigan student-athletes continue to be the Leaders and Best!”