We think these Gamecock NIL deals were among the best, the coolest, the funniest ...

Athletes have been able to legally make money off their name, image and likeness for almost a full year now, with deals of all kinds signed by college athletes across the country.

Some athletes have signed deals with luxury car dealerships and big-time national brands, while others have garnered some deals that were quite unique.

The State put together a list of interesting NIL deals signed by University of South Carolina student-athletes that have caught our attention — and likely yours, too.

Mo Kaba ... ‘part-time landscaper’

The origin of linebacker Mo Kaba’s NIL deal with the Columbia-based Catoe’s Power Equipment is equal parts funny and heartwarming.

In May, Kaba posted a picture to Twitter of a yard he had cut, joking that the NIL deals weren’t rolling in yet so he had to take up mowing lawns.

“We had a pretty good laugh at the tweet but it was immediately apparent that this was the perfect opportunity for Catoe’s to support a hard working student athlete!,” the company said in a release on Twitter in which it called Kaba a “Gamecock linebacker, part-time landscaper.”

Catoe announced the partnership with Kaba a little over a month after his initial Twitter post.

“Our company is incredibly excited to have Mo represent our brands and the business our family has built. We believe his character and toughness are a perfect representation of the quality tools and service we provide at Catoe’s Power equipment,” the company said in the release.

NIL from WWE equals ‘Next in Line’ for Rachel Glenn

In December 2021, World Wrestling Entertainment launched an NIL program titled “Next In Line” that is meant to recruit and develop future talent for the organization. On June 13. the WWE announced a second class of athletes, including a representative from the South Carolina track and field team.

Glenn was in a group of 14 other college athletes from several sports — including dance and cheer, gymnastics and volleyball among others.

According to the WWE website, the program gives the athletes access to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida along with resources like brand building, media training, live event promotion and more.

Once finished with the program, “select athletes” could get the opportunity to be offered a WWE contract.

Dakereon Joyner and your home furnishing needs

While a name, imagine and likeness deal with a furniture store is not likely to be the most flashy deal a college athlete could sign, it’s one that Joyner signed back in July 2021.

The deal with Atlantic Bedding in North Charleston was one of Joyner’s first, with the announcement of the partnership coming on Twitter a few weeks after the introduction of the NIL process.

Joyner said back in August 2021 that one of his high school teammates’ family owns the store. “Stop on in and if you mention ‘DK SENT ME!’ & receive a FREE GIFT!’ “ Joyner said in a social media post for the company.

Aliyah Boston: ‘Top Gun,’ and more

Boston has been taking full advantage of her name, image and likeness. Since its inception, she’s garnered deals from Under Armour, Bojangles, Bose Headphones and many more.

The 2022 national champion and Naismith Player of the Year most recently starred in a promo commercial for the new movie “Top Gun: Maverick.” In it she stars alongside Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and 2022 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler as one of the “best of the best.”

Spencer Rattler takes care of the O-line

After transferring to the South Carolina from Oklahoma, Rattler was quick to receive NIL deals. In February, he rode off in a brand new Chevy Silverado after he partnered with a local Chevrolet dealership.

Shortly after in March, he posted on Instagram that he had secured a deal with the male grooming company Blackwood for Men and had shared the love with his offensive line.

Said Rattler via social media: “It’s about to be a long season in the trenches for the big guys upfront. Had to get my O-Line right with some @blackwoodformen grooming products.”

Shirzees and jerseys!

Right before the South Carolina women’s basketball team kicked off its journey through the postseason to a national title, Under Armour announced the sale of shirzees for the Gamecocks — a cross between a T-shirt and a jersey.

All 16 members of the team had a custom shirzee with their name and number on available for sale on UA.com for a limited time during March Madness. According to a news release from USC, the deal was a “first-of-its kind women’s basketball deal with a major athletic apparel company.”

In February, USC announced a partnership with Fanatics and OneTeam Partners that would allow all Gamecock football players to the opportunity to make money off their name, image and likeness.

Upon opting in to the program, any member of the team will be able to monetize their jersey sales ahead of the 2022 season. Jerseys are expected to be sold starting in August.