Stars Rising

Discover Our Class Of 7 Dynamic Individuals To Watch In 2023

Atlanta is a destination for all-stars. No matter the genre, from entrepreneurs and athletes to artists and authors, Buckhead and the surrounding neighborhoods draw some of the best and brightest. Each summer, Simply Buckhead profiles some of these top-in-their-field talents for our Rising Stars issue, and this year’s bunch stands out. From those whose names you already know to others who are destined to become fixtures among our city’s noteworthy leaders, these seven professionals have faced their share of challenges and distinguished themselves in competitive industries. Read on to learn why each of these captivating individuals made the list.

Aaron Murray, the former quarterback of the Univer sity of Georgia Bulldogs, has kept himself busy since graduating in 2013. Currently, he’s an on-air analyst for ESPN, contributes to Sirius XM shows “SiriusXM SEC Radio” and “SiriusXM College Sports Radio,” and has a daily podcast on sports media personality Colin Cowherd’s The Volume network called Snaps with Aaron and T-Bob a show he records from his Brookha ven home studio with former LSU player T-Bob Hebert.

Murray recently added co-CEO to his list of titles. He was approached in 2021 by his former roommate, Ty Frix, as well as Frix’s brother, Trent, to explore a new media venture. Murray, the Frix brothers and former UGA running back Keith Marshall are now at the helm of The Player’s Lounge, a company aimed at changing the way a play er’s name, image and likeness are used and monetized in the college sports world.

In 2021, the rules were changed so college players could profit off their name, image and likeness. “The idea that college athletes can make money is still very new. We wanted to create a way for players to con nect with fans,” Murray says. The Player’s Lounge aims to bridge that gap financially for the players while allowing them to get their feet wet with content creation in a way that feels authentic to them. So far, the UGA, the University of Tennessee, LSU and Clemson University tapped into the start-up’s content network.

A simple and free email sign-up gives members access to The Player’s Lounge's exclusive content. By logging on, fans can see videos featuring Murray in conversation with current UGA quarterback Carson Beck, or the Bulldogs’ Chris Smith and Braelen Bridges talking about Georgia football doubters. Articles, live streams and a marketplace with items such as Bulldog-themed NFTs and memorabilia are also available.

Murray and his team have done in-person events, too, such as a BMW experience where five fans got to drive BMWs with Kendall Milton, a UGA running back, and a