Fast-casual chain CAVA has made its latest move in the NIL landscape with a campaign dubbed “The Shawarmup”, bringing together four rising college football names: Georgia’s Gunner Stockton and Oscar Delp, and Texas’ CJ Baxter and Tre Wisner. The deal comes as both programs hit stride in their 2025 seasons, and CAVA aims to link real performance with real nourishment.

With this group, CAVA is leaning hard into how athlete brand partnerships can feel authentic: highlighting athletes’ daily routines, their grit, and how nutritious fuel fits into performance. It’s a reminder of the growing importance of college football players with NIL deals not just as promotional assets—but as storytellers whose lifestyles meaningfully intersect with what fans care about.

Why They Chose Them

CAVA’s selections reflect a mix of on-field production, social reach, and market readiness. Here’s what the numbers tell us:

• Gunner Stockton (Georgia, QB)
  Stockton is fresh off a signature performance—leading Georgia past Tennessee with 304 passing yards and multiple touchdowns, while also contributing on the ground. SI Off the field, he’s built NIL momentum, pairing up with brands like The Dairy Alliance and HeyDude. He brings an Out2Win-type of value: engaged fanbase, visible performances, and authenticity.

• Oscar Delp (Georgia, TE)
  As a primary target in Georgia’s offense, Delp’s strength is consistency and reliability. Social metrics aren’t fully disclosed in the announcement, but being part of a high-profile campaign with CAVA alongside Stockton shows that brands recognize both his playmaking value and his potential for broader visibility.

• CJ Baxter (Texas, RB)
  Baxter is part of Texas’ dynamic backfield; through the first few games, he’s been one of the ground game’s most efficient contributors. Off the field, he’s gaining reach, and aligned with brands that resonate with younger fans. His performance plus his rising online visibility make him a logical pick for CAVA.

• Tre Wisner (Texas, RB)
  Wisner rounds out the quartet with speed, burst, and a standout presence in Texas’ offense. Even in games impacted by availability or injury, his moments on the field have made impressions. His partnership with CAVA shows how brands are valuing not just volume of stats, but moments—plays, energy, and brand fit.

The Campaign: “The Shawarmup”

CAVA’s activation isn’t just about name drops. The campaign features two content pieces:

1. “The Shawarmup”: A look into pre-game and pre-practice energy—players talking about fuel, routine, preparation.

2. “The CAVA Combine”: Pitting Georgia vs. Texas athletes in friendly competitions, showcasing agility, speed, and personality, with CAVA’s food, brand identity, and lifestyle woven in.

CAVA’s pitch is clear: excellence is fueled both in the gym and with what you consume. They want to be a part of the athlete’s journey—not just a logo, but a partner in performance.

The Bigger Picture: NIL, Food & Athlete Branding

This deal speaks to a broader shift in NIL:

• Fans want endorsements that feel like story—how an athlete eats, trains, rests—those “behind the scenes” moments matters.

• Brand deals are no longer just about logo placement—they’re about integration (meals, training fuel, lifestyle), especially when it comes to sports performance.

• Players like Stockton, Delp, Baxter, and Wisner show that brands will invest in both the star power and the narrative: how an athlete trains, how they move off the field, how they engage with fans.

CAVA’s campaign shows how the impact of name image and likeness on college athletics now includes wellness, nutrition, slow-burn storytelling, and health as performance.