Top 15 Highest-Paid College Football Players in 2026
The landscape of college football has transformed dramatically, with top athletes now earning millions through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and revenue sharing. In 2026, players like Arch Manning, Jeremiah Smith, and Sam Leavitt are among the highest-paid, surpassing many NFL rookies in earnings. This article explores the top 15 earners and the factors behind their financial success.
Key Takeaways
- Arch Manning tops the list with an estimated $5.4 million annual NIL valuation, making him the highest-paid college football player in 2026.
- Rising stars like LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt ($4.0 million) and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith ($4.2 million) are also earning substantial sums.
- Dylan Raiola rounds out the top 15 with an estimated NIL valuation of $2.0 million, highlighting the lucrative opportunities available to college athletes.
Top 15 Highest-Paid College Football Players in 2026
In compiling this list, we relied on reported NIL valuations and revenue-sharing estimates from reputable sources such as On3 Sports, Fox Sports, and Sports Illustrated. These figures may fluctuate due to new brand deals, performance bonuses, and collective distributions.
| Player | Current Team | NIL Valuation |
|---|---|---|
| Arch Manning | Texas Longhorns | $5.4 million |
| Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State Buckeyes | $4.2 million |
| Sam Leavitt | LSU Tigers | $4.0 million |
| Brendan Sorsby | Texas Tech Red Raiders | $3.1 million |
| Bryce Underwood | Michigan Wolverines | $3.0 million |
| Dante Moore | Oregon Ducks | $3.0 million |
| Cam Coleman | Texas Longhorns | $2.9 million |
| LaNorris Sellers | South Carolina Gamecocks | $2.7 million |
| John Mateer | Oklahoma Sooners | $2.7 million |
| Drew Mestemaker | Oklahoma State Cowboys | $2.5 million |
| Dylan Stewart | South Carolina Gamecocks | $2.5 million |
| Mason Heintschel | Pittsburgh Panthers | $2.4 million |
| Julian Sayin | Ohio State Buckeyes | $2.4 million |
| Josh Hoover | Indiana Hoosiers | $2.2 million |
| Dylan Raiola | Oregon Ducks | $2.0 million |
15. Dylan Raiola — $2 Million
Dylan Raiola, born on 9 May 2005 in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a quarterback for the Oregon Ducks. The son of former NFL player Dominic Raiola, he joined Oregon in 2026 as one of college football's top young quarterbacks. His reported NIL valuation is $2 million. During his time at Nebraska, Raiola signed a deal with Adidas in 2025, and his NIL portfolio includes partnerships with Takis, Campus Ink, Panini America, and EA Sports.
14. Josh Hoover — $2.2 Million
Josh Hoover, born on 25 June 2003 in Rockwall, Texas, is a quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers. He enters his final collegiate season with a $2.2 million NIL valuation. After a record-breaking career at TCU, where he became the active career passing yards leader, Hoover transferred to Indiana in December 2025. His endorsement portfolio includes partnerships with RallyFuel and Ram Truck.
13. Julian Sayin — $2.4 Million
Julian Sayin, born on 23 July 2005 in Carlsbad, California, is a quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He is one of the most marketable underclassmen, with an estimated NIL valuation of $2.4 million. Sayin has secured endorsement deals with Wingstop, Dr Pepper, JLab Audio, and Panini America, as well as a partnership with the Columbus-based collective The Foundation.
12. Mason Heintschel — $2.4 Million
Mason Heintschel, born on 17 February 2007 in Oregon, Ohio, is a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Panthers. He broke out as a true freshman, throwing for 2,354 yards and earning Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year semifinalist honors. His reported NIL valuation is $2.4 million, supported by a multi-million-dollar retention package from Pitt's NIL collective. His portfolio includes officially licensed apparel and custom jersey sales.
11. Dylan Stewart — $2.5 Million
Dylan Stewart, born on 14 September 2005 in Washington, D.C., is an edge rusher for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He joined South Carolina in 2024 as a top young pass rusher and has a reported NIL valuation of $2.5 million. Stewart signed a seven-figure retention deal with The Garnet Trust and also partners with PorkRinds.com.
10. Drew Mestemaker — $2.5 Million
Drew Mestemaker, born in January 2006 in Austin, Texas, is a quarterback for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He transferred from North Texas in January 2026 after leading the FBS in passing yards with 4,379 and winning the Burlsworth Trophy. His transfer was accompanied by a two-year, $7 million NIL deal, and his current estimated NIL valuation is $2.5 million.
9. John Mateer — $2.7 Million
John Mateer, born on 28 April 2004 in Little Elm, Texas, is a quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners. He holds an estimated NIL valuation of $2.7 million. After a breakout campaign at Washington State, he transferred to Oklahoma in December 2024, turning down a seven-figure retention offer. His endorsement portfolio includes Beats by Dre and Valley GMC.
8. LaNorris Sellers — $2.7 Million
LaNorris Sellers, born on 23 June 2005 in Florence, South Carolina, is a quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He emerged as the starting quarterback in 2023 and has a reported NIL valuation of $2.7 million. In 2025, he rejected an $8 million transfer offer to stay with the Gamecocks. Off the field, he secured a partnership with a Columbia-based car dealership, reportedly receiving a 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
7. Cam Coleman — $2.9 Million
Cam Coleman, born on 14 August 2006 in Phenix City, Alabama, is a wide receiver for the Texas Longhorns. According to Sports Illustrated, his NIL valuation is approximately $2.9 million. He previously played for Auburn Tigers after being ranked the No. 5 recruit in the 2024 class. His NIL portfolio includes partnerships with Nike through the Blue Ribbon Elite program and Crocs.
6. Dante Moore — $3 Million
Dante Moore, born on 24 May 2005 in Detroit, Michigan, is a quarterback for the Oregon Ducks. He transferred to Oregon in 2024 after a freshman stint at UCLA. Despite being projected as a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Moore chose to return to Oregon. His reported NIL valuation is $3 million, and he signed a high-profile deal with Nike in 2025, along with endorsements from Beats by Dre, DoorDash, Raising Cane's, and T-Mobile.
5. Bryce Underwood — $3 Million
Bryce Underwood, born on 19 August 2007 in Detroit, Michigan, is a quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines. He entered college football in 2025 as the consensus No. 1 overall recruit. His NIL valuation is reportedly $3 million. Underwood switched his commitment from LSU to Michigan, tied to a major NIL package from Champions Circle. His endorsements include Beats by Dre, Celsius, Hollister, and EA Sports.
4. Brendan Sorsby — $3.1 Million
Brendan Sorsby, born on 20 January 2004 in Denton, Texas, is a quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He transferred to Texas Tech in 2026 after playing for Indiana and Cincinnati. His reported NIL valuation is $3.1 million. During his time at Cincinnati, Sorsby signed an NIL partnership with Impacting Tomorrow, and his transfer to Texas Tech was linked to a multi-million-dollar roster package.
3. Sam Leavitt — $4 Million
Sam Leavitt, born on 20 December 2004 in West Linn, Oregon, is a quarterback for the LSU Tigers. He transferred to LSU in January 2026 as the consensus No. 1 player in the winter transfer portal cycle. His reported NIL valuation is $4 million. Leavitt began at Michigan State, then transferred to Arizona State, where he led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024.
2. Jeremiah Smith — $4.2 Million
Jeremiah Smith, born on 29 November 2005 in Miami Gardens, Florida, is a wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He joined Ohio State in 2024 as the consensus No. 1 overall recruit. Smith is one of the most marketable athletes, supported by NIL collectives The Foundation and The 1870 Society. His endorsement portfolio includes Adidas, Red Bull, 7-Eleven, Nintendo, and American Eagle. His estimated NIL valuation is $4.2 million.
1. Arch Manning — $5.4 Million
Arch Manning, born on 27 April 2004 in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. He became the face of Texas football after taking over in 2023. His NIL valuation is reportedly $5.4 million, placing him at the top of college football. Manning's rise accelerated after a standout postseason, earning Citrus Bowl MVP honors. In March 2026, he secured a new NIL agreement with Google's Gemini AI division. His partners include Red Bull, Panini America, EA Sports, Raising Cane's, Vuori, and Warby Parker.
Who Is the Highest-Paid College Football Player?
As of May 2026, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is the highest-paid player in college football, with a record-setting NIL valuation estimated at $5.4 million.
Do College Football Players Earn a Salary?
College football players can now earn a direct salary through university-funded revenue sharing introduced after the House v. NCAA settlement. This is in addition to NIL deals and endorsement income, which remain a major part of their overall earnings.
Who Is the $6 Million College Football Player?
Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby are the two names most frequently linked to the $6 million valuation mark in 2026. Manning is reported to have reached a $6.8 million NIL valuation, while Sorsby secured a landmark transfer deal valued at nearly $6 million.
The highest-paid college football players in 2026, such as Arch Manning, Jeremiah Smith, and Sam Leavitt, are earning multimillion-dollar NIL and revenue-sharing deals. Some even surpass NFL rookies in earnings because of the sport's growing commercial ecosystem and flexible pay structures.
