Emmanuel Pregnon’s decision to return to college may have been influenced by NIL, but it also gave him valuable time to develop. Now, the Jaguars may benefit as well if Pregnon’s added experience and development help him make an immediate impact.
The Jacksonville Jaguars could be one of the beneficiaries of name, image, and likeness (NIL) after Emmanuel Pregnon decided to return to college for another season, giving the offensive lineman another year to develop into a more polished player who could make an immediate impact in the NFL.
The benefit the Jaguars get from Pregnon’s decision is that his return to college for another year allowed them to land a player with the 88th pick who has the experience and development to potentially contribute in a major way as a rookie.
Pregnon’s experience and development were on full display in the first preseason game, where he earned an overall PFF grade of 74, including a 70 in run blocking. It was a performance Liam Coen took notice of.
"He did some nice things," Coen said. "He did some really nice things. Moved people in one-on-one situations. He flashed, he flashed in the joint as well when he got some opportunities with the ones."
The 6.36 prospect grade means the Jaguars landed a player projected to become a plus starter. However, Jacksonville had the opportunity to draft Pregnon because he surprised many by forgoing the NFL draft the year before and choosing to return to college, despite being invited to and playing in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl.
Money may not have been the deciding factor; however, the ability to be financially compensated through NIL likely made the decision easier.
Pregnon was ranked the No. 3 interior offensive lineman in the 2025 247Sports transfer portal rankings. With that ranking came significant financial interest from teams looking to earn his commitment. His exact NIL compensation has not been made public; it has been estimated between $857,000 and $1.1 million.
And while the negatives of NIL and its impact on college sports are often pointed out, such as players constantly moving for their next big payday and its influence on recruiting and player decisions, the positives can sometimes be overlooked.
Some of the overlooked positives of NIL allowing players to stay in college are their ability to continue developing while earning money, rather than feeling pressured to leave early before they are ready to take the next step in their careers.
For an NFL team, NIL can pay off by leading to more experienced prospects entering the draft when they are ready. Another year of college gives players more playing time, in-game reps against high-level competition and additional development in strength and technique, leading to a more polished player.
And while Pregnon may be on people’s radar as someone who can contribute right away, Coen is not going to rush the decision despite being “pleased with him.”
"It's a process,” Coen said. “When the time comes, he'll be ready, and he's trying to work through that and the continuity with the group.”
Coen may not want to rush Pregnon; however, with the lack of depth along the offensive line, he might not have a choice even after acquiring Danial Faalele from the New York Giants.
If Pregnon’s preseason performance continues, Jacksonville could benefit from whatever reason led him to return to college before entering the NFL. A decision Pregnon made for his own benefit could ultimately provide the Jaguars with the NFL-ready offensive lineman they need.
Ultimately, only Pregnon knows whether NIL played a role in his decision to return to college for another season. Regardless, it appears to have been the right decision, as the extra year of development has helped him adjust to the NFL game more quickly.
