Class of 2026 4-star TE JC Anderson stars in perfect NIL commercial
JC Anderson of Decatur (Illinois) Mt. Zion High is one of the nation’s elite prospects in the Class of 2026.
The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Anderson is a top-six tight-end prospect. He also ranks in the top five in Illinois and the top 150 nationally, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. With around 30 scholarship offers, Anderson is widely viewed as one of the best recruits in the Midwest.
He’s also now a real estate pitchman, thanks to a new NIL deal with Blake Reynolds of Main Place Real Estate. It’s Anderson’s second partnership, and the video promoting the agreement is pure NIL gold.
After Reynolds talks about a new listing in Decatur – featuring two acres of land and top schools – he tells the star tight end to go long.
Reynold’s pass takes viewers on a tour of the property and finishes with Anderson soaring through the air to catch the pass while splashing into the house’s pool.
“This is a sick house,” Anderson says while dripping wet after the touchdown. “Hit up Coach Reynolds for all things real estate. He’ll deliver.”
Anderson can participate in NIL deals while in high school without losing eligibility thanks to rules from the Illinois High School Association. He also has an agreement with the Decatur Orthopedic Center.
Thirty-seven local athletic associations allow student-athletes to participate in NIL deals without forfeiting the ability to play high school sports. But there are still associations or state laws in 12 states that prevent high schoolers from participating in NIL deals, including in top-talent-producing states like Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.
JC Anderson has top schools targeting him
As a sophomore in 2023, JC Anderson had 30 catches for 307 yards (10.2 yards per catch) and three touchdowns, according to MaxPreps.
Earlier this summer, Anderson gave glowing feedback about an unofficial visit to Notre Dame. During the visit, he worked one-on-one with Fighting Irish offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mike Denbrock.
“I got more tips than I’ve ever gotten in a 30-minute workout,” Anderson told Blue & Gold. “He helped me a lot. He gave me a ton of tips, and I took them to the one-on-ones. I did a great job in the one-on-ones in the camp, too. Then, I got to learn a little bit about how he coaches. It was a great time.”
Illinois has hosted JC Anderson five times on visits, and he’s been on campus at Iowa and Michigan twice. He told On3 he’s also been on trips to Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Missouri, Tennessee and Ohio State. Ohio State is the only school in that group that hasn’t offered him at this point. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine lists Illinois with a 30% chance of landing JC Anderson’s commitment, followed by Notre Dame (16.1%) and Iowa (9.4%).