Name, Image, and Likeness deals (NIL) have fundamentally changed the way top collegiate athletes get paid. Now that players can profit from their personal brand, they are eligible to sign lucrative sponsorships and endorsements.

College football is nearing its Week 0 kickoff, set for Saturday, August 23rd. Before the 2025 season begins, it’s worth highlighting the five highest-paid college football players based on current NIL deals. Make sure to check out the latest Underdog Fantasy promo code to claim up to $1,000 in bonus cash on one of the most popular daily fantasy sports apps.

Arch Manning tops the list with the most lucrative NIL valuation at $6.8 million. His name is synonymous with winning at every level, which is why expectations

and betting activity are so high on the Texas Longhorns’ signal-caller ahead of his first full year under center.

Manning played 10 games in 2024 and finished with 61-90 completions for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. He looked good in most of his on-field reps, despite playing behind Quinn Ewers. The Longhorns fell just short against Ohio State during the College Football Playoff Semi-Final, but enter 2025 ranked as the top-ranked program in the country.

It won’t take long to assess Manning’s performance on the big stage. He’s set to lead Texas against the No. 2-ranked Buckeyes on the road in the biggest Week 1 matchup.

Miami (FL) QB Carson Beck is the second-highest-paid NIL player in college football this season. The transfer from the University of Georgia is set to make $4.3 million based on his latest NIL valuation.

Beck fell short of his 2023 production with the Bulldogs last year. He did wind up throwing for more touchdowns (28), albeit with double the number of interceptions (12), before suffering a season-ending injury against Texas in the SEC Championship Game.

Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is the third-highest-paid college football player with a $4.2 million NIL valuation. He’s the only non-quarterback on this list, which is symbolic of his dominance on the gridiron.

Smith logged 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns during his freshman season in Columbus. Ohio State is transitioning to its new quarterback, Julian Sayin, a redshirt freshman who will determine how well Smith plays in 2025.

LSU returns redshirt sophomore QB Garrett Nussmeier after an outstanding 2024 season. The Tigers’ QB1 is set to make $3.8 million with his current NIL deal. Nussmeier took full advantage of his first year as a starter in Baton Rouge, recording a 64.2 percent completion rate for over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns. LSU finished 2024 with a 9-4 record, ending the season on a three-game winning streak.

South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Florida’s DJ Lagway both have $3.7 million NIL deals heading into the 2025 season. Sellers helped the Gamecocks achieve a 9-4 record, which included wins over top 25 opponents like Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Clemson.

Lagway had a solid freshman season, finishing with a 6.3 percent touchdown rate. He led the Gators to an 8-5 record under head coach Billy Napier, with notable wins over No. 21 LSU and No. 9 Ole Miss.