Athletes First has signed UCLA QB Josh Rosen for on- and off-field representation ahead of the '18 NFL Draft, with Ryan Williams serving as his main agent. There had been talk in the industry that Rosen, who is among the top prospects entering the Draft, could sign with a second firm for marketing. However, he designated Athletes First on the marketing representation notification sent into the NFLPA. "Josh is focused on football," Williams said. He added Rosen will begin training at Athletes First's facility in Orange County, Calif., in preparation for the NFL combine. Williams, a UCLA alum, counts Packers LB Clay Matthews, Vikings LB Anthony Barr and Redskins CB Josh Norman among his clients. Rosen yesterday officially declared for April's NFL Draft, and several mock drafts currently have him going with the No. 1 overall pick to the Browns (Liz Mullen, Staff Writer). USC QB Sam Darnold, who often is mentioned along with Rosen as a potential top pick, also declared for the Draft yesterday, though he has "not made a decision on which agency will represent him" (L.A. TIMES, 1/4).
BARKLEY JOINS ROC NATION: Roc Nation Sports has signed Penn State RB Saquon Barkley, who is widely expected to be the first RB taken in the Draft. Barkley will be represented by Kim Miale and becomes the fourth RB on Roc Nation Sports' NFL roster, joining the Rams' Todd Gurley, Jaguars' Leonard Fournette and Seahawks' C.J. Prosise (Roc Nation Sports). Barkley said, "A lot of people came around my way, but they were focused on me and they did a great job at selling my family on setting me up for life, bringing value outside of football. I felt like it was harder for other agencies to pitch that family feel when they were working with 30 or 40 guys." Barkley and his family this week were invited to Roc Nation Sports Founder Jay Z's home in L.A., where they "talked about his business future" (ESPN.com, 1/3).
