Former Alabama running back makes a major career move, leveraging NIL opportunities after transferring, showcasing the evolving landscape of college football and athlete entrepreneurship.

In the evolving landscape of college football, change is constant—but for one former Alabama running back, change has become a springboard for reinvention. After transferring from the storied Crimson Tide program and embracing the possibilities of the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy, this athlete has not only reignited his playing career but also positioned himself as a budding entrepreneur.

This is the story of a player who, rather than fading into the background after a crowded backfield battle, used the transfer portal and NIL to take control of his narrative—and in doing so, may have written a new playbook for future college stars.

A Crowded Room in Tuscaloosa

For three years, Jordan “J.D.” Wallace, a four-star recruit from Atlanta, Georgia, battled for carries in Alabama’s notoriously deep running back rotation. Known for his power, vision, and patience, Wallace arrived in Tuscaloosa with high expectations, hoping to follow in the footsteps of greats like Derrick Henry, Najee Harris, and Josh Jacobs.

Yet as the Tide reloaded annually with five-star recruits and transfer additions, Wallace found himself slipping down the depth chart. Despite flashes of brilliance in mop-up duty—averaging over 6 yards per carry in limited touches—his opportunities were few and far between.

“I loved my time at Alabama. The culture, the coaches, the fans—it was a dream,” Wallace said in a recent podcast interview. “But I had to be real with myself. If I wanted to grow on the field and off it, I needed a new chapter.”

The Transfer Portal as a Launchpad

That new chapter began when Wallace entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season. Once seen as controversial, the portal has now become a normalized tool for athletes seeking new opportunities—whether for playing time, academic fits, or personal growth.

Wallace found his perfect fit at Texas Tech, a program on the rise with an open backfield, a creative offense, and a community eager to embrace a veteran presence. More importantly, it was a place where he could be more than a backup. It was a place where he could be the guy.

But Wallace wasn’t just thinking about carries or box scores. He was thinking long-term. And that’s where NIL came in.

Embracing NIL: More Than Just Endorsements

Once in Lubbock, Wallace didn’t just join a team—he launched a brand.

Through NIL, Wallace signed deals with local businesses, including a health food cafe, a tech startup, and a fitness brand. But instead of settling for endorsement checks, he negotiated equity stakes and involvement in product development. One of his most innovative moves? Partnering with a sports nutrition company to co-create his own supplement line: “JD Fuel.”

“Everyone wants to do a clothing line. I wanted to do something tied to my lifestyle and future,” Wallace explained. “I’m passionate about fitness, about clean nutrition, and I knew NIL gave me a platform to build that from the ground up.”

In doing so, Wallace became one of the first college athletes to blend NIL endorsements with long-term business development—a savvy play that earned him attention from sports media, branding experts, and even former NFL players.

Playing Time, Purpose, and Performance

On the field, Wallace thrived. In his first year at Texas Tech, he ran for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns, helping lead the Red Raiders to a 10-win season and a bowl victory. But his story extended far beyond the stat sheet.

He frequently spoke to local high school athletes about NIL, academics, and preparing for life beyond football. He launched a podcast—“More Than My Number”—where he interviewed athletes, business leaders, and creatives on topics like identity, financial literacy, and personal growth.

He also established a mentorship program through Texas Tech’s athletic department aimed at educating incoming freshmen on the business side of college athletics.

“I had mentors at Bama, but no one was really talking about taxes, contracts, or trademarks,” Wallace said. “Now that we have NIL, that education has to be part of the locker room culture.”

Changing the Narrative for Transfers

For years, transferring in college football came with a stigma—labels like “quitter” or “disloyal” were often thrown at athletes who chose a different path. But Wallace’s journey reflects a broader shift in mindset. Transferring isn’t just about playing time anymore. It’s about finding alignment between personal goals, academic interests, and professional aspirations.

In Wallace’s case, leaving Alabama didn’t mean leaving excellence. It meant redefining it on his own terms.

“Transferring doesn’t mean you failed. Sometimes, staying in a situation that limits your growth is the real failure,” he said.

Wallace’s maturity and message have resonated with other players, many of whom reached out after he spoke at the 2025 NIL Athlete Summit in Dallas. There, he delivered a keynote on “Athlete Autonomy in the NIL Era,” receiving a standing ovation from fellow student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.

The Business of College Football Has Changed—So Must the Players

College football is no longer just about game film and stats. It’s about brand identity, business savvy, and community presence. NIL has opened doors, but it also requires athletes to be smarter, savvier, and more strategic.

Wallace understood that. He surrounded himself with a team that included:

• A sports attorney to review contracts,
• A CPA for tax planning,
• A branding consultant, and
• A mental performance coach to keep him grounded amid rising attention.

His success has inspired schools to adopt new NIL literacy programs, and his approach is being cited in sports business courses at several universities.

“I think every player should take NIL seriously—not just for money, but for what it teaches you,” Wallace noted. “It forces you to think like a professional before you ever turn pro.”

What’s Next for J.D. Wallace?

As Wallace prepares for his final college season, he faces a critical decision: pursue the NFL or continue building his off-field ventures. While scouts project him as a late-round draft pick, some believe his ceiling could be much higher with another year of dominance.

“I’m grateful just to be in that conversation,” Wallace said. “Whatever happens, I’m walking away from college with a degree, a business, and a platform I can grow for life.”

He plans to expand JD Fuel into a full health and wellness brand, and there’s already interest from investors. He’s also collaborating with NIL collectives to design athlete mentorship modules that could be implemented nationwide.

The Bigger Picture: NIL and the Future of College Football

Wallace’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s a preview of what’s to come.

In a sport where players once had little control over their professional preparation, Wallace and athletes like him are flipping the script. They are proving that NIL isn’t just about flashy cars or one-time deals. It’s about ownership, legacy, and empowerment.

For programs like Alabama, Wallace’s departure wasn’t a failure—it was a reflection of modern roster management. For Texas Tech, it was a transformative win. And for college football, it was a lesson in what’s possible when players are given the tools to think beyond Saturdays.

Final Thoughts

Jordan “J.D.” Wallace may not have become a household name at Alabama, but his decision to transfer and embrace NIL has made him a trailblazer in the new era of college football. He has turned limited playing time into expanded influence. He has converted opportunity into ownership. And he has shown that, with the right mindset, a player can be far more than a number on a jersey.

As more athletes follow his example, the NCAA, coaching staffs, and fans will need to adapt to a reality where players are not just competitors—they’re creators, leaders, and entrepreneurs.