BYU DL Tyler Batty Says NIL Change Is ‘Huge’ For College Athletes

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – BYU defensive lineman Tyler Batty thinks that the NCAA’s recent change with Name, Image, and Likeness rules is “huge” for college athletes.

The freshman recently discussed NIL during an interview with Cougar Sports Saturday’s Mitch Harper and Matt Baiamonte on KSL NewsRadio.

Earlier in July, Batty became the one of the Cougars’ first players to sign an endorsement deal.

#BYU DE @Tyler_Batty2 is in studio with Cougar Sports Saturday discussing his new NIL endorsement.#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/mTuz9kPWGZ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 10, 2021

The lineman told CSS that the NIL changes are big for student-athletes.

“It’s huge. It really is,” Batty said. “As college athletes, it’s huge. That’s the difference between having to go work a job for guys that are on scholarship, or for guys that are on scholarship, to have to pick a job up during the summer. And then again, just the financial security as a college student realistically it’s huge. It’s huge.”

To listen to the entirety of Batty’s interview, play the podcast above and subscribe to the Cougars Sports Saturday Podcast.

Batty & Balmshot Lip Balm

Batty, along with BYU long snapper Austin Riggs, finalized endorsement deals with Balmshot Lip Balm.

“I am honored and excited to be partnered with Balmshot,” said Batty in a statement. “The product is amazing and the mission of the company is even better. I’m grateful for the financial opportunity this presents and for the chance to learn from real-world business situations while I continue to pursue my athletic career.”

Based out of Eagle, Idaho, Balmshot Lip Balm is a family-owned company that sells specially formulated, proprietary lip balms canistered in patented, authentic 20-gauge shotgun shells. Instead of being loaded with buckshot, the shotgun shells are loaded with lip balm made from all-natural ingredients, beeswax, and SPF 15. The lip balms are available on their website and major retailers such as Amazon and Cabela’s.

The first @BYUfootball #NIL endorsements have been finalized. ✍️ 💰🏈#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFootball https://t.co/y17hdHCLyT

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 8, 2021

Along with the lip-balm coming in a shotgun shell, Balmshot provides work for young adults with special needs in the manufacturing process that goes into each lip balm. The owners of Balmshot have a teenage son with Down Syndrome. Making an impact in the special needs community is a top priority for the company.

Last season, Batty recored 13 total tackles, 10 solo tackles, four sacks, and three quarterbacks in four games played.

Batty and the Cougars are on the verge of beginning fall camp in preparation for the program’s 2021 season.

BYU opens the season against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, September 4.