The 15 Most Expensive NIL Deals in College Sports

Written by Rachel Schneider on
A football player in a purple and gold LSU uniform prepares to throw a pass during a game. He wears a helmet and is holding the football in his right hand while looking downfield. The background shows a blurred crowd.
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

College athletes are cashing in like never before, and the numbers are eye-popping. Thanks to the NCAA’s recent rule changes around NIL — short for “Name, Image, and Likeness” — student-athletes can now legally earn money from endorsements, sponsorships, appearances, and more. What used to be off-limits is now a fast-growing industry, turning some college stars into millionaires before they’ve even gone pro.

According to On3, here are the athletes with the biggest numbers on the other side of their dollar signs.

1. Arch Manning

Football player in a white uniform with the number 16 on the jersey is holding a football, preparing to throw. The jersey has "Texas" written on it. Other players and a blurred stadium background are visible.
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

College: University of Texas at Austin

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $6.5 million

2. Cooper Flagg

Basketball player in a Duke uniform hangs from the hoop after a dunk. Opponents in dark jerseys look on from below. The scene is intense with dynamic motion captured.
Lance King/Getty Images
Lance King/Getty Images

College: Duke University

Sport: Basketball

On3 NIL Valuation: $4.8 million

3. Carson Beck

A football player in a black shirt is holding a football, preparing to throw. He is on a field with a blurred background of spectators and stadium lights.
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

College: University of Miami

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $4.3 million

4. Livvy Dunne

A gymnast in a purple leotard performs a mid-air split with arms extended high. The arena background features empty seats with a yellow and purple pattern, creating a vivid contrast.
Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images
Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

College: Louisiana State University

Sport: Gymnastics

On3 NIL Valuation: $4.1 million

5. Jeremiah Smith

A football player in a white and gray uniform celebrates while holding the ball in a stadium. The crowd is blurred in the background. Another player in a dark uniform is visible behind him. The scene is dynamic and energetic.
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

College: Ohio State University

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $4 million

6. DJ Lagway

A football player in a blue jersey and orange helmet holds a football, poised to throw. His jersey reads "Gators" and displays the number 1. He is focused downfield as teammates and opposing players engage around him.
Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

College: University of Florida

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $3.8 million

7. LaNorris Sellers

A football player in a black helmet, white jersey, and black pants is running on the field during a game. The crowd is visible in the background, and another player’s leg is partially visible in the foreground.
Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images
Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images

College: University of South Carolina

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $3.7 million

8. Garrett Nussmeier

A football player in a purple and yellow LSU uniform and helmet stands with hands on hips on a field. The number 13 is on his jersey. In the background, blurred fans are visible in stadium seats.
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Alex Slitz/Getty Images

College: Louisiana State University

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $3.6 million

9. Cade Klubnik

Quarterback in a white and orange football uniform, holding a football and preparing to throw during a game. The player stands outdoors on a field, wearing a helmet with a paw logo. An official logo patch is visible on the jersey.
Jack Gorman/Getty Images
Jack Gorman/Getty Images

College: Clemson University

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $3.3 million

10. Drew Allar

A football player in a navy blue jersey with the number 15 prepares to throw a pass during a game. He is wearing a white helmet and white pants. Opposing team players in white and gold uniforms are in the background.
Michael Pimentel/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Michael Pimentel/ISI Photos/Getty Images

College: Pennsylvania State University 

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $3.2 million

11. Nico Iamaleava

A football player wearing a white and orange uniform and helmet, marked with the number 8, celebrates energetically on the field with his teammate in the background. The team's logo reads "VOLS." The scene is lively and vivid.
Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images

College: University of Tennessee

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $3.1 million

12. Sam Leavitt

A football player in a maroon and yellow uniform throws a pass during a game. He wears the number 10. Other players and a brightly lit scoreboard are visible in the background.
Bruce Yeung/Getty Images
Bruce Yeung/Getty Images

College: Arizona State University

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $3 million

13. Bryce Underwood

A person wearing a University of Michigan cap and sunglasses smiles while holding a pen over a document. They are seated at a table with a blue tablecloth, surrounded by yellow and blue balloons. The backdrop displays Adidas logos and tiger paw prints.
Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images
Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

College: University of Michigan

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $2.9 million

14. Darian Mensah

A football player in a white uniform with the number 10, wearing a white helmet with a wave logo, prepares to throw a pass during a game. Blurry spectators fill the background.
Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Greg Fiume/Getty Images

College: Duke University

Sport: Football 

On3 NIL Valuation: $2.8 million

15. John Mateer

A football player wearing a white jersey with the number 10 and a captain's "C" stands on a field. He has a headband and black eye paint. The background shows a stadium with a crowd and other players.
Alika Jenner/Getty Images
Alika Jenner/Getty Images

College: University of Oklahoma 

Sport: Football

On3 NIL Valuation: $2.7 million

Author
Rachel Schneider

Rachel is a Michigan-based writer with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing and English. Throughout her career, she has dabbled in a variety of subject matter from finance and higher education to lifestyle pieces and food writing. She also enjoys writing stories based on social media trends. Find her on Instagram @rachel.schneider922