NIL contracts have drastically changed the college football environment by giving student-athletes unprecedented financial opportunities.
The NIL income hierarchy in football is changing as the 2025 NFL Draft has concluded, and several high-earning players have left for the NFL. Let’s examine the players at the top of the NIL standings by position.
Who Tops College Football’s NIL Valuations Following the 2025 NFL Draft?
College Football’s Highest-Earning Quarterbacks
NIL valuations are still dominated by quarterbacks, which shows their crucial importance on the field and their marketability off it.
Texas QB Arch Manning is at the forefront of the race, with an estimated NIL valuation of $6.5 million. His agreements, such as those with Red Bull, highlight his commercial attractiveness.
With a $4.3 million valuation, Miami QB Carson Beck comes in second. Beck’s move from Georgia to Miami came with many NIL chances, such as Beats by Dre and Chipotle endorsements.
Other notable quarterbacks include LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier ($3.6 million), South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers ($3.7 million), and Florida QB DJ Lagway ($3.8 million). These figures highlight the quarterback position’s continued dominance in NIL earnings.
College Football’s Highest-Earning Wide Receivers
Wide receivers are advancing significantly in the NIL market. With a $4 million valuation, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith is the most valuable non-quarterback in college football. Smith’s marketability has increased due to his stellar rookie campaign and Red Bull and Nintendo endorsements.
Other exceptional wide receivers include Alabama WR Ryan Williams ($2.7 million) and Texas A&M WR Evan Stewart ($2.5 million). Their on-field and off-field reputations influence these athletes’ increasing NIL valuations.
College Football’s Highest-Earning Defensive Players
Defensive players are also capitalizing on NIL opportunities. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs commands a $2.4 million valuation, reflecting his impact on the field and appeal to sponsors.
Other notable defensive stars include LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr. ($2.2 million) and Georgia S Malaki Starks ($2.0 million).
More NIL Battles Incoming: Sports Attorney Takes on Arkansas Over Dazmin James NIL Dispute
As the NIL environment develops, states like Arkansas are passing laws to exempt student-athletes’ NIL income from state taxes in an effort to give them a recruiting advantage.
Programs like Texas are also making significant investments in NIL, as some projections suggest that the Longhorns’ 2025 football roster will cost between $35 million and $40 million.
As the 2025 season draws near, the college football scene will continue to be shaped by the merger of marketability and athletic performance, providing players with previously unheard-of chances to leverage their personal brands.
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