UPDATED: 10 players with highest NIL valuations heading into Week 2 of college football ft. Shedeur Sanders
Ever since the NCAA brought in a rule change in 2021, allowing student-athletes to earn from their commercial use of name, image and likeness (NIL), many athletes have landed big money by affiliating with various brands.
The NIL deals have also allowed them to stay in college for an extra year since they are more lucrative than most rookie deals NFL teams offer to the drafted players. Let's take a look at 10 college football players who are making good money out there, as per On3 NIL valuations.
Top 10 highest-earning college football players through NIL
#1. Shedeur Sanders
Being the son of the most hyped college football coach, Deion Sanders, and his impressive showing on the field for the Colorado Buffaloes has led many brands to sign NIL deals with Shedeur Sanders. In the latest NIL valuations from On3, Sanders continues to lead (not just in college football but overall) with $5.1 million in NIL earnings.
#2. Arch Manning
The second name on the list also comes from NFL legacy. Arch Manning, backup quarterback to Quinn Ewers on the Texas Longhorns team, comes in second with $3.1 million NIL earnings.
#3. Travis Hunter
The Deion Sanders-led Colorado Buffaloes have attracted the attention of several brands. Apart from Shedeur Sanders, another player who has benefitted from the added exposure is two-way star Travis Hunter. He comes in third among college football athletes with $2.7 million in NIL earnings.
#4. Carson Beck
The Georgia Bulldogs quarterback is a Heisman watch this season and his affiliation with the No. 1 team in college football has attracted several brands, raising his NIL valuation to $2 million.
#5. Jalen Milroe
Jalen Milroe was the last starting quarterback when legendary coach Nick Saban decided to call it quits after his final season with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Milroe earned a lot of praise from the coach, and it reflected in his NIL earnings ($2 million).
#6. Quinn Ewers
Another starting quarterback from Steve Sarkisian's unit to come in the top 10 is Quinn Ewers, the starting quarterback for the Longhorns this season over Arch Manning. Like Beck and Milroe, Ewers' NIL earnings stand at $2 million.
#7. Jaxson Dart
Senior quarterback Jaxson Dart's future turned after he took a transfer from USC to the Ole Miss Rebels ahead of the 2022 season. He went 7-5 in his first year, 11-2 in the second and is 1-0 this season. This improvement is also reflected in his NIL earnings, which now stand at $2 million.
#8. Nico Iamaleava
After playing backup QB to Joe Milton last season with the Tennessee Vols, Nico Iamaleava was named the starting quarterback for the Citrus Bowl as Milton declared for the NFL draft. Iamaleava immediately impressed, recording four touchdowns (one in passing and four in rushing) in a 35-0 rout of Iowa in the game.
The Vols didn't have to look outside as they named him the starting quarterback this season. Being the face of a royal college football program has helped him land several NIL deals, pushing his NIL valuation to $1.9 million.
#9. Cam Ward
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward comes in at ninth with a $1.7 million NIL valuation. He took a transfer from Washington ahead of this season.
#10. Dillon Gabriel
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel rounds up the top 10 with a $1.6 million NIL valuation. He took a transfer from Oklahoma earlier this season and was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last year.