Roanoke alumnus represents No. 1 NFL Draft pick Joe Burrow

Garrett Yaralian ‘04 wasn’t watching Louisiana State University football because of quarterback Joe Burrow.

Yaralian, a sports agent at William Morris Endeavor (WME), initially started going to LSU football games this past fall looking to sign LSU Passing Game Coordinator Joe Brady to the agency. At one of the games, Yaralian ended up talking with Jimmy Burrow, the father of LSU’s star quarterback.

Yaralian’s father,  Zaven Yaralian — a former college football player, college coach and NFL coach — played with Burrow at the University of Nebraska, he learned. Jimmy Burrow and the younger Yaralian hit it off.

Yaralian didn’t sign Brady, but he got something completely different out of his trips to LSU. His relationship with Jimmy Burrow put him on a track to eventually sign his son, Joe Burrow, to WME. 

Joe Burrow had one of the greatest individual seasons in college football history, earning the Heisman Trophy and leading LSU to an undefeated season and national title. By the time WME signed Burrow, it was a widespread assumption that the quarterback would be the top pick in the NFL Draft.

That’s just what happened. Burrow went No. 1 overall in the first round of the NFL Draft to the Cincinnati Bengals. His contract is reported to be worth more than $36 million.

Draft night was surreal, as the athletes were at home instead of together in one big-city venue, but Yaralian said it was still a great day for Burrow.

“I think it was a nice moment with him and his family,” Yaralian said. “It was very intimate. And that’s more who Joe is, just kind of a hometown kid. I think it was nice for him to be at home.”

Yaralian joined WME a few years ago after spending a decade with Under Armour, where he handled clients such as Olympian swimmer Michael Phelps, professional golfer Jordan Spieth and champion skier Lindsey Vonn. When he got to WME, Yaralian mostly represented college coaches. 

Joe Burrow was a major get for Yaralian, who signed Burrow in January alongside fellow WME agents Ira Stahlberger and Jordan Bazant. 

It’s been a busy few months leading up to the draft, as Burrow has been a hot commodity. Yaralian said he and his co-workers have had to say “no” a lot, whether it’s to media requests or sponsorship inquiries, because Burrow simply doesn’t have enough time to do everything. That will no doubt continue now as Burrow begins his NFL career. Yaralian said WME agents help clients figure out which business opportunities are best for them, and help develop their individual brand. 

Yaralian says he honed his ability to form tight relationships — like the one with Jimmy Burrow that helped lead to him signing his son — while he was a student at Roanoke.

Yaralian played lacrosse for Head Coach Bill Pilat ‘85, and majored in history. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to study when he got to campus, but said  he was always drawn to history. His classes with Dr. Mark Miller, professor of history, stood out, Yaralian said.

The most important experiences at Roanoke, he said, took place outside the classroom.

“What I learned the most in college was building the relationships, and it correlates into your business opportunities as well,” Yaralian said. “When you’ve got great relationships, you’re always going to have opportunities, and I think Roanoke was a great example of that.”

His experience as a student-athlete helps him relate to current collegiate and professional athletes. It also helps him understand his own strengths and abilities, he said. For example, when he wanted to pursue signing Burrow, he knew he needed the expertise of other WME agents who had more experience. 

“Working with coaches or teammates in a team-like atmosphere, you learn to be more well-rounded and how to be a team player, and also to look for help when you need it,” Yaralian said.