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20 college athletes that are going to make a boatload of money this year

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Split image: Left, a female basketball player in a light blue jersey dribbles two basketballs. Right, a male basketball player in a black Utah jersey with yellow "22" looks to the side during a game.

In today’s college sports landscape, success is no longer measured only by stats or championships, but by earning power. Athletes like Shedeur Sanders, Caitlin Clark, and Bronny James are proving that massive money can arrive long before turning professional. Thanks to NIL deals, these college stars are bringing in numbers that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, making this season one of the most financially explosive in college sports history.

1. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado, College Football Quarterback)

A football player in a black and orange uniform kneels on the field with his head bowed and one hand to his face, surrounded by a blurred crowd and an American flag in the background.
WayOutbackBoy / Reddit.com

One of the most visible quarterbacks in college football, his NIL deals span apparel, media, and lifestyle brands. National exposure and constant coverage have turned his college career into a multimillion dollar business.

2. Arch Manning (Texas, College Football Quarterback)

A football player wearing a red Arizona Cardinals uniform and white helmet stands on the field, looking to the side. His jersey displays the number 16 and the word "Arizona." The background is blurred stadium seats.
TerryG111 / Reddit.com

Few athletes entered college with this level of built in value. Major endorsements arrived early, driven by legacy, hype, and long term brand potential that keeps growing each season.

3. Caleb Williams (USC, College Football Quarterback)

A football player in a maroon and gold uniform and helmet holds a football, preparing to throw. The player has the number 13 on his jersey. The background shows a blurred crowd and field.
Jetery / Reddit.com

Elite play on the field quickly translated into massive off field earnings. Heisman buzz and national spotlight pushed his NIL value into territory usually reserved for professionals.

4. Bronny James (USC, College Basketball Guard)

A basketball player in a USC jersey looks to the side, with a larger, semi-transparent close-up of his face in the background. The image features strong red and orange tones.
Jaymar01 / Reddit.com

Global recognition alone placed him among the highest earning college athletes. Brand partnerships and media attention ensured major income before his college career fully took off.

5. Angel Reese (LSU, College Basketball Forward)

A basketball player wearing a white LSU uniform with the number 10 and a white headband stands on the court, looking down with hands on hips. The background is blurred, showing spectators in the stands.
JJBeans_1 / Reddit.com
Dominance, confidence, and visibility combined to attract top tier sponsors. Endorsements in fashion and sports made her one of the most financially successful athletes in women’s college basketball.

6. Caitlin Clark (Iowa, College Basketball Guard)
A basketball player wearing jersey number 22 celebrates in front of cheering fans and two commentators at a game, with "INDIANA FEVER" displayed on the LED screen.

Anonymous / Reddit.com
Record breaking performances brought national fame and sponsorships to match. Her NIL success reflects both talent and the massive audiences she draws.

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7. Livvy Dunne (LSU, College Gymnast)

A female gymnast in a maroon and white leotard celebrates passionately, pointing forward and shouting with excitement on a blue competition floor, with blurred spectators and a scoreboard in the background. The-college-fandom / Reddit.com

Social media reach alone turned her into an NIL powerhouse. Brand deals often surpass those of athletes in more televised sports.

8. Travis Hunter (Colorado, College Football Two Way Player)

A football player in a black "Jaguars" hoodie stands on a field, pointing with one arm extended while holding something in his other hand. He is wearing gloves and AirPods, with stadium seats blurred in the background.
The-college-fandom / Reddit.com

Playing both offense and defense made him a rare marketing asset. Sponsors quickly recognized the value of his versatility and constant highlight presence.

9. Juju Watkins (USC, College Basketball Guard)
A basketball player in a white and red uniform drives toward the basket while gripping the ball, surrounded by two defenders in blue and gold uniforms during an intense game.

Anonymous / Reddit.com

Rapid rise to stardom brought immediate financial rewards. Major endorsements followed as her profile exploded nationwide.

10. Drake Maye (North Carolina, College Football Quarterback)

A college football player wearing a light blue uniform and helmet with the number 10 prepares to throw a football during a game. The stadium seats and field are visible in the background.
RedditAdminBelieveMe / Reddit.com

Consistent production and leadership increased his market value year after year. NIL earnings now rival early professional contracts.

11. Bo Nix (Oregon, College Football Quarterback)

A football player in a green long-sleeve shirt with the number 9 on his shorts throws a football during practice. Several people stand blurred in the background.
PowerAdDuck / Reddit.com

Experience and visibility across multiple programs boosted endorsement appeal. Longevity helped secure steady and lucrative NIL partnerships.

12. Kyle Filipowski (Duke, College Basketball Center)

A basketball player wearing a black jersey with yellow letters reading "UTAH" and the number 22 stands on the court, looking to the side during a game.
LawLive8367 / Reddit.com

Playing for a powerhouse program amplified both exposure and income. Size, skill, and national broadcasts drove strong brand interest.

13. Jared Verse (Florida State, College Football Defensive End)

A football player in a white and blue Los Angeles Rams uniform, number 8, rushes past opposing Houston Texans players in black jerseys during a game. The action is intense on a bright, sunny field.
Conscious_Appeal4157 / Reddit.com

Defensive dominance attracted performance focused sponsors. Draft projections and visibility helped push NIL value higher.

14. Paige Bueckers (UConn, College Basketball Guard)

A female basketball player in a UConn uniform sits on an ornate white chair, holding a white basketball. The background and surroundings are all white, with basketball-themed decor and draped curtains.

Anonymous / Reddit.comEven through injuries, her brand remained strong. Early NIL success positioned her as one of the most profitable women’s college athletes.

15. Jayden Daniels (LSU, College Football Quarterback)

A football player wearing an LSU uniform with the number 5 smiles and reaches out to fans in a stadium filled with people dressed in purple and yellow.
SOSpammy / Reddit.com

Breakout performances brought endorsements and national recognition. Leadership and athleticism translated directly into NIL income.

16. Hannah Stuelke (Iowa, College Basketball Forward)

Two female basketball players in black Iowa uniforms, one wearing number 45, look upward intently during a game. The background is blurred, highlighting the players' focused expressions.
TheWriterJosh / Reddit.com

Team success and increased exposure opened new sponsorship opportunities. Visibility alongside star teammates raised her earning potential.

17. Malik Nabers (LSU, College Football Wide Receiver)

A man with short, twisted hair smiles while speaking into an NFL-branded microphone at a press event. He is wearing a dark hoodie and sitting in front of a blue backdrop with white text.
CompanySea1736 / Reddit.com

Highlight plays and explosive offense drew major attention. NIL deals followed as he became one of the most dangerous receivers in college football.

18. Mikey Williams (Memphis, College Basketball Guard)
A basketball player in a white jersey looks upward with a focused expression. He has curly hair, a neck tattoo, and the word "Hornets" is visible on his uniform. The background is blurred.

Plutoglint / Reddit.com

Social media fame created early financial opportunities. Brand interest surged even before consistent college production.

19. Sedona Prince (TCU, College Basketball Center)

A female athlete stands with arms crossed, wearing a white "Ducks" jersey with the number 15 and a necklace, against a dark background.
FrontAmbition4891 / Reddit.com
Visibility on and off the court made her appealing to modern brands. Advocacy and presence expanded her NIL reach.

20. Cooper Flagg (Duke, College Basketball Forward)

A basketball player in a Dallas Mavericks uniform with number 32 poses for two photos: one facing sideways holding a ball behind his back, and one facing forward spinning a ball on his finger, against a blue background.
Doghouse12e45 / Reddit.com

Massive hype and long term potential drove early NIL value. Even before a full college season, financial interest reached elite levels.

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Meet the Writer


Tatiana A.

Tatiana is a graphic designer specialized in marketing, with over 15 years of experience in the digital marketing world. Throughout her career, she’s worked with a variety of brands, developing strategies that blend creativity, identity, and results and loves to churn out refreshingly engaging content for audiences across many content realms at the same time. Find her on Behance at, tatianaalalach, as well.



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