UAB star Iverson Hooks is choosing to enter the transfer portal. His decision not to continue his college football career creates an interesting situation regarding his NIL money.
Does he owe it all back to the Blazers?
I do not know the specific terms of Hooks’ agreement with the university but it appears as though he is on the hook (pun intended) for every single penny he has ever received while in Birmingham. This could get litigious.
Who is Iverson Hooks?
Hooks is not a name you would know unless you are a diehard fan of college football. He was one of the best players on the Group of Six level in 2025.
The former three-star recruit committed to UAB in the Class of 2022 over 11 other offers from schools like UCF, Arkansas State, Western Kentucky and Troy. His first three years with the program saw him record 25 catches for ~300 yards and three touchdowns.
This past season was a huge breakout year for the 5-foot-10, 175-pound pass-catcher.
Hooks caught a team-high 72 passes for a team-high 927 yards and seven touchdowns. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
However, the rising redshirt junior does not plan to finish out his career in Birmingham. Hooks is going to enter the transfer portal.
How much money does he owe back to UAB?
This is where things get murky.
The exact details of Iverson Hooks’ financial agreement at UAB are unknown. Perhaps it had already reached its conclusion after four seasons. I don’t know. Maybe there is no buyout attached to his deal.
However, there is a specific clause for termination attached to a majority of contracts with Blazer Impact, the primary NIL arm in Birmingham.
“If Blazer Impact terminates the Agreement pursuant to Section 13.1.2, 13.1.3, 13.1.4, or 13.1.7, Licensor shall pay Blazer Impact a lump sum payment, as liquidated damages and not a penalty, 100% of all Licensing Fees and Endorsement Activity Fees that were paid to Licensor under the Agreement through the date of termination, or 100% of the total Licensing Fees and Enforcement Activity Fees that were scheduled to be paid to Licensor under the remaining term of the Agreement, whichever amount is more. Licensor shall pay the above liquidated damages within 30 days of termination by Blazer Impact.”
This may not apply to Hooks. He might be exempt based off of the unique language in his unique contract. We don’t know.
If he is not exempt, Hooks will be expected to pay back every last dollar he was paid by Blazer Impact over the last four years. Maybe the bigger school that ultimately receives his commitment will pay the buyout? Maybe this will go to court. We’ll see.