Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press

The name, image and likeness (NIL) policy has changed the face of college sports forever.

On June 30, the NCAA established the new bylaw to allow student athletes to "benefit from their name, image and likeness."

The new bylaw trickled down to the NJCAA level on the same day, which allows all student athletes to receive compensation from a commercial product or a public/media appearance.

It didn't take long for student athletes to cash in.

Two days after the bylaw went into effect on July 1 at midnight, Southwest Mississippi Community College freshman point guard Dominic Brown made history by becoming the first junior college athlete to sign an NIL deal with Solepack, a company that designs backpacks for shoes.

New Mexico Military Institute sophomore offensive lineman Tyrone Webber will soon reap the benefits after signing an NIL deal with CellsRX.

"I was happy to get the opportunity," Webber said. "As a JUCO athlete we don't get opportunities like this. It's a blessing that they trust me enough to put my name out there.

"My family and I are very thankful for it as well. God put me in the right spot."

CellsRX, which started in 2019, is a company owned by former NFL All-Pro players and brothers Maurkice and Mike Pouncey.

The company sells a pre-workout dietary protein supplement along with clothing apparel.

"Mike and I definitely like his game," said Maurkice Pouncey about Webber. "(We're) excited that players can get paid off their likeness and are somewhat like professional athletes."

Maurkice played in the NFL for 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a center. A three-time first-team All-Pro in 2011, 2012 and 2014, Maurkice was drafted as the 18th overall pick in 2010.

After being named an All-American in 2009, Maurkice went on to make nine Pro Bowl appearances which led to him making the NFL's 2010 All-Decade team.

He had helped the Florida Gators capture a national championship in 2009 alongside Tim Tebow and former Super Bowl XLVII champion wide receiver Percy Harvin.

Also on the team was Mike Pouncey, who later was a 15th overall draft choice by the Miami Dolphins in 2011.

Mike spent a total of 10 seasons in the NFL between the Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers as a center. He was named to four Pro Bowls in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018.

Webber, a native of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, is the most sought after offensive lineman in the country as he has received 30 scholarship offers up to this point.

Schools like Texas Tech, Mississippi State, Auburn, Ole Miss, Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Fresno State and Houston are just a few of the programs that have shown interest.

Webber credits offensive line coach Robert Rodriguez along with the entire coaching staff and his teammates for helping him get to this point.

"I came in not knowing the position that well," Webber said. "(Rodriguez) taught me step by step how to become a good offensive lineman, and more importantly he taught me how to be a good man, too. It's just a team effort."

Choosing to attend NMMI is more than just a simple choice, it's a life altering decision.

The school, in more ways than one, transforms a student athlete in ways they can't even imagine.

"This is the place to be if you want to be successful," Webber said about NMMI. "Coming here is a struggle but I make the best out of the situation. I'm always going to be thankful for this place."

The sky seems to be the limit for Webber.

For now he lives in the moment and takes it week by week, focusing on helping his team become better during the toughest part of the season.

NMMI recently moved up to No. 7 in the NJCAA Division I rankings after taking down former No. 2 ranked Kilgore.

Webber's ultimate goal is to play in the national championship.

"I think that's all of our goals at the end of the day. We got to stay grounded, go week by week. We're not going to get there right away," he said.

Growing up, Webber always looked up to the Pouncey brothers and tried to emulate their playing styles on the gridiron.

"I know that if I keep pushing and do what I need to do, I'll be in a situation one day that they were in when they played in the NFL," he said. "This is just the start. It shows if you put the work in it'll pay off."