Top 10 Highest Paid College Football Players
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are taking over the world of sports. Though they are still not paid salaries, even college athletes can now profit off of their name and make money before going pro. The biggest sport for NIL deals is football. Listed below are the highest paid college football players currently playing in the NCAA.
Who Are the Highest Paid College Football Players Right Now?
- Arch Manning - $3.8 Million
- Bryce Young - $3.5 Million
- C.J. Stroud - $2.9 Million
- Caleb Williams - $2.6 Million
- Bijan Robinson - $1.8 Million
- Shedeur Sanders - $1.6 Million
- Marvin Harrison Jr. - $1.6 Million
- Drake Maye - $1.5 Million
- Will Anderson - $1.4 Million
- Jordan Addison - $1.2 Million
1. Arch Manning - $3.8 Million
Arch Manning is a freshman quarterback for the University of Texas with an NIL valuation of $3.8 million per year, making him the highest-paid college football player. Coming from a famous football family, Manning declined all NIL deals until he committed to a school, which he did in selecting Texas in 2022. He enrolled at Texas a semester early, in January 2023 in anticipation of playing in the fall. Now that Manning is attending college, he will likely sign some lucrative endorsement contracts.
2. Bryce Young - $3.5 Million
Bryce Young is the current quarterback at The University of Alabama and is estimated to make $3.5 million. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2021, declaring him the best player in college football that season. This led to many endorsement deals. He has deals with Beats by Dre, Nissan, Dr. Pepper, Nobull, and Dollar Shave Club. He also charges $9,200 per social media post.
3. C.J. Stroud - $2.9 Million
C.J. Stroud is the starting quarterback for Ohio State University, and it is estimated that he makes $2.9 million from all of his endorsements. He is projected to be a top-five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. He has NIL deals with Dr Teal’s and Kane Footwear, which are both for undisclosed amounts. He also has an endorsement deal with The Foundation, a company that helps Ohio State players land NIL deals. They have helped Stroud ink deals with Value City Furniture and Designer Shoe Warehouse. He recently promoted Sarchione Auto Gallery, who rewarded him with a $150,000 Bentley. Stroud charges $8,000 per social media post.
4. Caleb Williams - $2.6 Million
Caleb Williams is the starting quarterback at The University of Southern California and is estimated to make $2.6 million from his various endorsement deals. Williams has been very successful at USC so far and is in the running for the Heisman Trophy. He is one of the best quarterbacks in college football and plays for a big-market team. This led to many NIL opportunities for him. He has endorsements with Athletic Brewing Company, Futuremood, Fanatics, Topps, and Hawkins Way Capital. He also has a deal with AC+ION, where they work together to raise money for the youth. He makes $5,000 per social media post.
5. Bijan Robinson - $1.8 Million
Bijan Robinson is a running back at The University of Texas, and it is estimated that he makes about $1.8 million annually from his various NIL deals. He is widely recognized as one of the best running backs in all of college football and should be a top pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. He has signed a ton of NIL deals, including Lamborghini Austin, Onyx Authenticated, Rhoback, Candy Digital, and Athletic Brewing Company. He charges $3,200 for each social media post.
6. Shedeur Sanders - $1.6 Million
Shedeur Sanders is the starting quarterback at Jackson State University and is estimated to make $1.6 million per year from all of his NIL deals. He is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, and his dad is also his coach. Having a famous dad raised his expectations on and off the field. Sanders is the first HBCU athlete to sign an NIL deal. He has signed deals with Gatorade, Tom Brady, PLB Sports, Actively Black, and Mercedes-Benz. He already has over one million social media followers and charges $9,100 per post.
7. Marvin Harrison Jr. - $1.6 Million
Marvin Harrison Jr. is a wide receiver at Ohio State, and it is estimated that he makes $1.6 million yearly from his endorsement deals. He is the son of former Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison. His dad's genes and Ohio State's big market have led to him making a large amount of money from NIL deals. His only known deal involves The Foundation, a company that helps players at Ohio State get NIL deals. The rest is undisclosed and not public. He charges $3,000 for every social media post.
8. Drake Maye - $1.5 Million
Drake Maye is the starting quarterback at the University of North Carolina and makes $1.5 million annually from his endorsements. He has some of the highest odds of winning the Heisman Trophy and is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in college football. He signed with CAA Sports Agency, which helps him get the best deals. It is currently unknown exactly what deals he has signed. He charges $1,200 for each social media post.
9. Will Anderson - $1.4 Million
Will Anderson is a linebacker at The University of Alabama with endorsements of about $1.4 million. He is projected to be one of the top picks in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, and as the draft approaches, he should get even more opportunities. He has signed many different NIL deals, including with Dr Teal’s, Krystal, Rhoback, and BMW of Tuscaloosa. He charges $2,100 per Instagram post.
10. Jordan Addison - $1.2 Million
Jordan Addison is a wide receiver at the University of Southern California whose NIL deals have allowed him to make around $1.2 million annually. He recently transferred from Pittsburgh, where he was a dominant player. His transfer moved him to California, which had much more opportunity to grow his brand. He works with BLVD LLC, which is a company that helps USC players get endorsement deals, and this has led to deals with United Airlines and Fletcher Jones Motorcars. He also has his own deals with Bowser Automotive and Tickets For Kids.
Honorable Mentions
Blake Corum - $1.1 Million
Blake Corum is a junior running back for the University of Michigan who earns $1.1 million in NIL endorsements per year. A heavily recruited high school star from Maryland, Corum chose Michigan over several other top football schools. He immediately made an impact in his freshman year and has improved every season. In his junior year, he ran for 1,463 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, and caught one receiving touchdown. He was named an All-American and earned the Chicago Tribune Silver Football, honoring the best player in the Big Ten. Corum has endorsement deals with Wolverine Boots, The M Den, Michigan Army National Guard, CLR Academy, and Next Gen Camps.
Brock Bowers - $692,000
Brock Bowers is a tight end at the University of Georgia whose deals have led to him making an estimated $692,000 annually. He is highly regarded as one of the best tight ends in college football. Bowers remarkable freshman season naturally led to many NIL deals. His first deal was with Associated Credit Union. After that, he signed deals with Zaxby’s, Nobull, and Morgan & Morgan.
FAQ
Who is the highest-paid college football player?
The highest-paid college football player is Arch Manning, who is earning an estimated $3.8 million per year. The son of Cooper Manning and nephew of NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning committed to play for the Texas Longhorns in late 2022 and signed several lucrative NIL deals as soon as his commitment was official.
Do college football players get paid?
Although college football players are allowed to earn money through NIL deals, their schools are not permitted to pay them a salary. Similarly, colleges are not permitted to give players cash bonuses or compensate their families. College teams are permitted to reward players for academic performance, with a limit of $5,980 per year.