Every year, the biggest stars in college football have a chance to make money off their talents immediately before even getting to the NFL.
The NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) world gives players leverage that they didn't previously have, allowing them to negotiate their own deals with schools. That has led to a boom in the transfer portal and added a new layer to programs recruiting players out of high school.
Of course, some players earn more than others based on their pedigree and production. Therefore, here's a look at the 30 highest-paid players in college football for the 2025 season, according to the On3.com database.
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1. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $5.5 million
Unsurprisingly, the highest-paid player in the sport is Texas quarterback Arch Manning. Despite his limited experience, Manning earned deals with Red Bull, Uber and Panini America, among others, while also making money from his NIL deal with Texas, itself.
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2. Carson Beck, QB, Miami
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $4.9 million
In the offseason, Carson Beck made the surprising decision to transfer from Georgia to Miami instead of entering the NFL draft. Beck did that largely due to getting a big NIL package from the Hurricanes program, but he also has NIL endorsement deals with companies like Chipotle, Powerade and Beats by Dre.
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3. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $4.2 million
Many people view Jeremiah Smith as the best player in college football, as the sophomore wide receiver had a breakout freshman season for the defending-champion Buckeyes. Therefore, it makes sense that Ohio State had to pay Smith a significant portion of money to recruit him, then keep him.
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4. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $4 million
Garrett Nussmeier is in his second season as LSU's starting quarterback and has the Tigers looking like a legitimate championship contender. The quarterback has deals with Nike and Powerade while also earning a chunk of his money from his NIL deal with LSU.
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5. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $3.7 million
LaNorris Sellers entered this season as one of the biggest names in the sport following his breakout season last year. Still just 20 years old, Sellers agreed to a new NIL deal with South Carolina after the 2024 season and makes the rest of his money through endorsements with companies like T-Mobile.
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6. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $3.2 million
Another top quarterback, Drew Allar returned to Penn State instead of entering the 2025 NFL draft to compete for a national championship. In doing so, Allar agreed to an endorsement deal with Nike and remains one of the highest-paid players in the country.
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7. John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $3.2 million
John Mateer transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma for the 2025 season after he landed a pretty substantial deal from the Sooners in the transfer portal. Mateer has also had endorsement deals with companies like Adidas, Bose and Panini America dating back to his time at Washington State.
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8. Bryce Underwood, QB, Michigan
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $3 million
Bryce Underwood is the first true freshman on this list as Michigan got him to flip from LSU after a full-court-press in recruitment. The freshman also has endorsement deals with Hollister and Beats by Dre, and he will only rise in these rankings if he lives up to the hype.
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9. Darian Mensah, QB, Duke
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $2.8 million
Despite only being a sophomore, Darian Mensah transferred to Duke after one season at Tulane and earned a lucrative deal in the transfer portal. Mensah's deal with the Blue Devils is for two years as the vast majority of the quarterback's 2025 valuation comes from that NIL deal.
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10. Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $2.8 million
Cade Klubnik is one of the most experienced players in college football, as he is now in his third season as the starting quarterback for Clemson. Besides his NIL deal with the Tigers, Klubnik also has endorsements with Beats by Dre, Chevrolet and EA Sports on his ledger.
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11. Josh Hoover, QB, TCU
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $2.6 million
Josh Hoover is quietly one of the most productive players in the country as he is in his third season as the TCU starting quarterback. However, Hoover decided to return to the Horned Frogs for 2025 instead of potentially earning more money elsewhere through the transfer portal.
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12. Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $2.6 million
Like Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams had an excellent freshman season that put him on the radar in college football. Besides his deal with the Crimson Tide, Williams also inked endorsement deals with companies like Nike and Beats by Dre ahead of his sophomore season in Tuscaloosa.
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13. Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $2.6 million
Taylen Green spent three years at Boise State before transferring to Arkansas ahead of the 2024 season, as the quarterback is now in year two with the Razorbacks. Most of Green's endorsement deals come through Arkansas' NIL collective, as he is now in his second season as the Razorbacks' starter.
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14. CJ Bailey, QB, NC State
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $2.5 million
CJ Bailey is in his second season both in college football and at NC State, as he started for the Wolfpack as a true freshman in 2024. Most of Bailey's valuation comes from his deal with NC State, since he hasn't made his way into the national spotlight yet in his career.
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15. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $2.4 million
Caleb Downs is the first defensive player on this list as the star safety is one of the biggest names in the country. Downs transferred from Alabama to Ohio State after his freshman season and played a key role in the Buckeyes winning the national championship during the 2024 season.
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16. Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $2.2 million
Sam Leavitt was at the center of Arizona State's surprise College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, and he returned to the Sun Devils with a bigger national profile. Leavitt began his career at Michigan State in 2023, but he didn't break out until he transferred to Arizona State.
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17. DJ Lagway, QB, Florida
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $2.2 million
DJ Lagway spent his freshman season adjusting to college football but took over as Florida's starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Besides his NIL deal with the Gators, Lagway also has other endorsement deals, including one with Lamborghini Orlando.
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18. Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $2.2 million
Dylan Raiola was a top recruit in the class of 2024 and chose to attend Nebraska after de-committing from Georgia. While the Huskers account for most of Raiola's NIL deal this year, the quarterback also signed an endorsement deal with Adidas in the offseason.
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19. Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.9 million
Jayden Maiava transferred from UNLV to USC before the 2024 season, but he spent most of the 2024 season as the team's backup. Maiava earns his valuation thanks to his NIL deal with the Trojans, which was constructed after Caleb Williams left the program for the NFL.
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20. Xavier Chaplin, OT, Auburn
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.9 million
Offensive line is such an important position in football, but Xavier Chaplin is the only lineman in the top 20 highest-paid players. Chaplin transferred to Auburn from Virginia Tech and was a highly sought-after player in the transfer portal during the offseason.
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21. Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.9 million
After two years at New Mexico State, Diego Pavia is now in his second season with Vanderbilt and is one of the most-experienced players in the country. Before the season, Pavia mentioned he turned down more money elsewhere to return for a second year with the Commodores.
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22. Dylan Stewart, EDGE. South Carolina
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.8 million
Dylan Stewart was a big get for South Carolina in the class of 2024, as Stewart immediately made a difference as a freshman in 2024. The edge rusher gives the Gamecocks a star on the defensive side of the ball to go along with LaNorris Sellers on offense.
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23. Beau Pribula, QB, Missouri
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.7 million
With Allar entrenched as Penn Satte's quarterback, Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri in 2025 after serving as Allar's backup in 2023 and 2024. Pribula landed a lucrative deal to join the Tigers in Columbia and serve as the team's starting quarterback this year.
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24. Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.7 million
Sawyer Robertson began his career at Mississippi State but transferred to Baylor before the 2023 season. He has been the Bears' starting quarterback since the middle of the 2023 season, and he has stabalized with the position for Baylor after throwing for over 3,000 yards in 2024.
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25. Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.7 million
Cam Coleman committed to Auburn out of high school and was one of the highest-ranked recruits in the country in 2024. While he hasn't taken the country by storm like Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams, his NIL deal still earns him a spot in the top 25.
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26. Jordan Seaton, OT, Colorado
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- 2025 NIL valuations: $1.7 million
Jordan Seaton was a big-name high school recruit in 2024 as Deion Sanders looked to upgrade the Colorado offensive line in front of Shedeur Sanders. Therefore, Seaton joined the Buffaloes on a lucrative NIL deal as he was being courted by several powerhouse programs.
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27. Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.6 million
Nick Singleton has had a very successful career at Penn State, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns in two of his first three collegiate season. The Nittany Lions kept him around in 2025, along with Allar, as the team competes for a national championship.
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28. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.6 million
After Indiana's surprisingly successful season in 2024, the Hoosiers landed Fernando Mendoza from California in the transfer portal. Mendoza spent two years with the Golden Bears in 2023 and 2024 but was able to earn a starting job on a CFP contender in Bloomington.
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29. Jackson Arnold, QB, Auburn
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- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.6 million
With John Mateer transferring to Oklahoma, Jackson Arnold left Norman after two years to join Auburn as their starting quarterback. Arnold is the third Tigers player on this list, joining Chaplin and Coleman, as Auburn has the most players in the top 30 for the 2025 season.
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30. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
- 2025 NIL valuation: $1.5 million
Jeremiyah Love was a breakout player for the Fighting Irish during the 2024 season, and he returned to Notre Dame in 2025 as he was ineligible to enter the NFL draft. During the 2024 season, Love had over 1,100 rushing yards along with 17 touchdowns as one of the most dynamic players in the country.
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