Florida Gators QB DJ Lagway wasted no time making a name for himself in Gainesville, stepping into the backup quarterback role behind Graham Mertz last season. But his impact isn’t just on the field—he’s also cashing in off the gridiron.
Lagway has landed major NIL deals with gaming giants Nintendo and Epic Games, securing his spot as one of the highest-earning college athletes. His rise in the NIL world has been so explosive that he now ranks fourth on On3’s list of the top 10 NIL deals of 2025. Who else made the cut?
Top 10 NIL Deals in 2025
Pinning down the NIL values of college football players is no easy task. With no official governing body overseeing these deals and many agreement details kept under wraps, estimating individual contract worth and total player valuations becomes challenging.
Despite the secrecy surrounding most NIL deals, some high-profile agreements have emerged. On3 has examined the numbers in depth.
From record-breaking contracts to eye-popping endorsement figures, here’s a look at the biggest football names cashing in on the NIL era’s gold rush.
1) Texas QB Arch Manning (NIL Valuation: $6,500,000)
2) Miami QB Carson Beck ($4,300,000)
3) Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith ($4,000,000)
4) Florida QB DJ Lagway ($3,800,000)
5) South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers ($3,700,000)
6) LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier ($3,600,000)
7) Clemson QB Cade Klubnik ($3,300,000)
8) Penn State QB Drew Allar ($3,100,000)
9) Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava ($3,100,000)
10) Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt ($3,000,000)
These numbers are sourced from On3’s Valuation chart.
DJ Lagway’s Epic NIL Deal Vaults Him to No. 4
Lagway had to step up as the starting quarterback for the Gators after Mertz suffered a season-ending injury in the midst of the 2024 season. The freshman took the opportunity quite well, leading his team to four consecutive victories and finishing 8-5 with a bowl game appearance. Due to his phenomenal skills, he’s also been able to capitalize on some great NIL deals.
Before kicking off his first season starting for the Gators, Lagway landed a Gatorade commercial that made some noise on social media. Now, he’s added another deal to his portfolio, valued at $3.7 million, with the powerhouse entertainment companies Nintendo and Epic Games.
OG Fortnite is back, so I had to hop on my Nintendo Switch#EpicPartner #NintendoPartner @NintendoAmerica @FortniteGame pic.twitter.com/iVVdIXjySQ
— LAG ✞ (@DerekLagway) January 30, 2025
Lagway showcased his potential with 12 touchdowns, 1,915 passing yards, and a 59.9% completion rate.
MORE ON THE GATORS: Lagway Hype Ramps Up for 2025
But he’s not the only rising star cashing in—several other standout players have also secured lucrative NIL deals with Nintendo and Epic Games.
Bonafide stars like Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Alabama’s Ryan Williams have also landed major NIL deals with video game companies this offseason. This is proof that college athletes are extremely influential in the world of video games.
Nintendo is leveraging these high-profile NIL deals to spotlight its newly launched Nintendo Switch 2, a console that’s become a go-to for playing Epic Games’ smash hit, Fortnite. In a recent ad campaign, Lagway is seen diving into Fortnite’s OG Season 1 alongside his younger brother.
In addition to these high-profile companies, Lagway’s NIL portfolio includes deals with Gatorade, Leaf Trading Cards, and some local Florida charities.
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