The nation’s top defensive line recruit in the class of 2024 has announced his commitment to play college football at the University of Missouri, and the state’s aggressive approach to Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rules appear to be at least part of the reason why.

Williams Nwaneri of Lee's Summit North, near Kansas City, made his decision Monday in front of family and friends, choosing Missouri over schools like Oklahoma and Georgia. Nwaneri is the top-rated recruit in the state.

A new law signed by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson last month allows high school student-athletes who sign an official letter of intent or other written agreement with the school to start earning NIL compensation while still in high school without jeopardizing any eligibility. 

Parson celebrated the bill signing during an event on the Missouri campus Tuesday afternoon. It goes into effect Aug. 28. 

In theory, Nwaneri could sign a financial aid agreement as early as Sept. 1 and start earning NIL compensation immediately, without being bound to the school. The earliest a high school senior football player can sign a binding letter of intent is Dec. 20.

College coaches can’t comment on a prospective student-athlete until they sign a letter of intent, but the University of Missouri staff went viral on social media Monday as they watched Nwaneri’s announcement play out on live television.

Nwaneri said he was aware of the changing state law, which also lets university employees negotiate NIL deals,  but said it wasn’t the only factor drawing him to the Tigers.  

“It wasn’t most important thing, I feel like there are a lot more things that go into a decision, like relationships with the coaching staff and all that. So, It def played a factor but a lot of other things went into the decision also,” said Nwaneri, a five-star lineman.

It’s not clear when Nwaneri expects to sign. Right now, the high school senior says he is focused on getting another shot at the state title.