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BYU Star AJ Dybantsa Joins LinkedIn
The former five-star recruit is the latest elite athlete to build a professional profile on the networking platform.
Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:31am
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BYU basketball freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa has created an account on LinkedIn, joining a growing trend of top college athletes using the professional networking platform to build their brand, connect with business leaders, highlight NIL partnerships, and prepare for life after sports. Dybantsa, who is the top NIL earner in college basketball with an NIL valuation of $4.2 million, reflects a broader shift in how elite prospects are approaching their personal branding in the NIL era.
Why it matters
As more high-profile athletes join LinkedIn, Dybantsa's move signals that the platform is becoming a new standard for how top college prospects build their professional identities and prepare for life beyond sports. This trend also highlights how the NIL landscape is changing the way elite athletes approach their personal branding and business opportunities.
The details
Dybantsa, a five-star recruit, is the latest in a growing wave of elite athletes using LinkedIn as more than just a resume site. Indiana's Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza has also secured a partnership deal with the networking platform. The move reflects how athletes are embracing alternative platforms beyond just traditional social media to build professional identities, connect with business leaders, highlight NIL deals, and prepare for careers after their playing days are over.
- Dybantsa created his LinkedIn account in January 2026.
The players
AJ Dybantsa
A five-star freshman basketball player at Brigham Young University who is the top NIL earner in college basketball with an NIL valuation of $4.2 million.
Fernando Mendoza
The Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana University who has secured a partnership deal with LinkedIn.
What’s next
Dybantsa and No. 13 BYU have a marquee matchup against No. 14 Kansas on Saturday afternoon.
The takeaway
Dybantsa's decision to join LinkedIn reflects a broader shift in how elite college athletes are approaching their personal branding and preparing for life after sports in the NIL era. As more top prospects embrace professional networking platforms, this trend could become the new normal for how the next generation of stars build their brands and careers.
