The Top 10 College Athlete NIL Valuations of 2024

By Jason Bolton February 28, 2024 07:49

Photo by AP Photo/John Raoux

The NCAA has empowered college athletes when they allowed the monetization of their Name, Image, and Likeness. This historic move has opened doors for multi-million dollar contracts for the top college athletes.

The list of top 10 college athlete NIL valuations as of 2024 according to On3 Media, Inc. includes:

1. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

NIL Valuation: $4.7 million.

Background: Shedeur Sanders has signed deals with multiple big brands over the years, and the quarterback's valuation has grown more than $3 million from 2023. Deals with Beats by Dre, Gatorade, Mercedes-Benz, Under Armour, Oikos, Urban Outfitters, and Google has leveraged his popularity and worth as well.

2. Arch Manning, QB, Texas

NIL Valuation: $2.8 million.

Background: The highly-rated quarterback Arch Manning has signed a profitable deal with Panini America, auctioning signed Manning cards. Manning’s NIL valuation indicates his strong interest in his brand, and as the next-in-line to the Texas Longhorns’ starting QB, his NIL value will increase upon Barnett’s departure.

3. Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

NIL Valuation: $2.3 million.

Background: Travis Hunter, the cornerback from Colorado, signed contracts with Leaf Trading Cards, FreeFrom Sports, Rock ‘Em Socks, and Cheez-It from his recognition of his strong brand. The fact that a non-quarterback player could generate as much money as Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers illustrates the significance of NIL's earning potential for numerous school positions.

4. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

NIL Valuation: $1.9 million.

Background: Texas QB Quinn Ewers has accrued a lengthy list of NIL deals with Aston Martin Dallas, Fortnite, Wrangler, Sonic, Beats by Dre, Vanguard Volkswagen, and Goldinity.

5. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

NIL Valuation: $1.6 million

Jalen Milroe, Alabama quarterback, has contracted with big brands like Rhoback, Beats by Dre, HEYDUDE shoes, and the LANK brand opened his business. Jalen Milroe makes entrepreneurship moves NIL and proves how lucrative the new NIL rules can be for college athletes.

6. Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon

NIL Valuation: $1.5 million

Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart seizes his market worth and popularity as a non-quarterback athlete to secure contracts with NOCCO, Coach, and Texas Aggies United, among others considered unlikely.

7. Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

NIL Valuation: $1.5 million

Carson Beck has signed deals with Leaf Trading Cards, Zero FG Energy Drink, The Player Lounge, and Associate Credit Union, entering new business markets. Carson Beck [dives into an entrepreneurial pool NIL with several partnerships

8. Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

NIL Valuation: $1.4 million

Expensive Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss quarterback, contracts with the Grove Collective, and The Brandr Group made a deal with Wheels Up community presence. Utah Football Jaxson Dart NIL Valuation 1.4 Jaxson Dart [QB Ole Miss] above.

9. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon

NIL Valuation: $1.3 million

Dillon Gabriel, an Oklahoma-to-Oregon transferred quarterback, has contracts with Brand Unlimited, Crimson, and Cream Collective and hypothetically exclusive deals. Gabriel's ability to generate this much money through NIL ventures is significant.

10. Nico Lamaleava, QB, Tennessee

NIL Valuation: $1.2 million

Nico Lamaleava, quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers, has signed a deal with Spyre Sports Group and another with Top Tier Authentics, with the former of the two unknown. Iamaleava’s appearance among the top 10 NIL generators illustrates the windfall that the college football player can expect from NIL deals.

Ultimately, the introduction of NIL legislation has changed the calculus for college sports. Athletes are now in a place to make more per annum than most people with whom they live and work.