Under Armour Signs Five Top NFL Draft Picks to Ambassador Team

Jean E. Palmieri
·3 min read

Under Armour has added five standout college football players to its ambassador roster.

On Monday, days before the NFL Draft, the Baltimore-based brand said it has signed Cam Ward, Luther Burden III, Nick Emmanwori, Matthew Golden and Tyler Booker to the UA Football roster.

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“Football is where Under Armour began — it’s in our DNA. Signing this class of elite players is more than a milestone, it’s a statement of who we are and where we’re going,” said Sean Eggert, senior vice president of global sports marketing for Under Armour. “These athletes are pushing the game forward in every sense, and we’re all-in on helping them reach the next level — with the best athlete and product innovation, and a brand that believes in their rise.”

Ward, a quarterback for the University of Miami, is expected to be the number-one pick in this year’s draft. With 4,313 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, Ward was a Heisman finalist and the winner of the Davey O’Brien and Manning Awards, as well as ACC Offensive Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, Consensus All American with Miami and the 2020 Jerry Rice Award with Incarnate Word.

“Joining Under Armour is more than just a sponsorship deal. It’s a partnership,” he said. “I’m grateful to become part of the UA team. I grew up watching my favorite players wear Under Armour, rocking cleats and gloves that elevate their game. To be part of the brand’s new era feels very full circle and I hope I can inspire the next generation of kids watching.”

Burden, a wide receiver from the University of Missouri, said: “Under Armour mirrors my mindset: stay hungry, stay fast. Partnering with a brand that values grit and fire the way I do means a lot. I’m stepping into the league ready to prove why I belong — and UA is right there with me.”

Emmanwori, a safety for the University of South Carolina, said: “Under Armour has been part of my story for a long time, throughout college and now into this new stage of my life. I’ve always respected how they support athletes who bring intensity and energy to the game, and their products have been a gamechanger in how I play. It feels right to keep building with a brand that shares that edge.”

Golden, a wide receiver for the University of Texas, said he is “hungry to compete, to win, and to represent a brand that’s always been about performance and purpose.”

And Booker, an offensive guard for the University of Alabama, said his relationship with Under Armour began in high school through its UA Next platform. “They saw potential in me before I ever stepped on a college field, and now they’re standing with me as I take this next big leap. That loyalty is important and encourages me as a competitor.”

Guilian Gary, senior manager of athlete marketing for Under Armour, said each of the athletes has “a unique story, an unmistakable edge, and a drive that mirrors what Under Armour stands for. Signing them isn’t just about performance; it’s about aligning with people who embody the next era of the game. This is a big step forward for our football vision, and we’re proud to stand beside them.”

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