An updated look at the top NIL deals from the college football transfer portal features some notable new names near the top. Though dominated by the quarterback position, a school in particular also stands out at the money they shelled out this offseason.
Breaking Down the Biggest NIL Deals from the Transfer Portal
The college football transfer portal has been buzzing just in time for the spring season. As conference powerhouses prepare for the year ahead, several standout players have cashed in on lucrative name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.
In a list generated by SI, quarterbacks dominate the top five, claiming four of the five highest-valued agreements. Let’s break them down:
1) Darian Mensah, QB, Duke Blue Devils
NIL Valuation: $4.3M
Mensah made a name for himself last season with Tulane, throwing 23 touchdowns to just six interceptions while completing 65.9% of his passes for 2,723 yards en route to an American Athletic Conference title.
He heads to Duke with a landmark NIL deal valued at $4.3 million over his remaining two years of eligibility.
2) John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma Sooners
NIL Valuation: $2.7M
The redshirt sophomore shined at Washington State in 2024, finishing 13th nationally in touchdown passes and eighth in yards per attempt (9.0), piling up 44 touchdowns overall. He followed offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to Norman and secured a $2.7 million NIL deal in the process.
3) Jackson Arnold, QB, Auburn Tigers
NIL Valuation: $1.9M
Arnold’s transfer from Oklahoma stirred headlines, particularly after his exit included some subtle shots at his former program. The former five-star recruit had a mixed freshman year, throwing 12 touchdowns with three interceptions and adding 444 yards and three scores on the ground.
His $1.9 million NIL deal has sparked plenty of debate.
4) Xavier Chaplin, OT, Auburn Tigers
NIL Valuation: $1.7M
Chaplin, previously a standout at Virginia Tech, joins Arnold in bolstering Hugh Freeze’s offense. His $1.7 million deal reflects his status as one of the top offensive linemen in the country, currently ranked fifth nationally at his position.
5) Beau Pribula, QB, Missouri Tigers
NIL Valuation: $1.5M
Pribula’s decision to leave Penn State during the program’s College Football Playoff push raised eyebrows, but Missouri hopes his arrival helps them make their own run in 2025.
KEEP READING: Most Surprising Transfer Portal Additions of the Spring
His current NIL valuation stands at $1.5 million.
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