College football's 30 highest-paid players in 2026, from Darian Mensah to Arch Manning
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College football's 30 highest-paid players in 2026, from Darian Mensah to Arch Manning originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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A lot changes in college football on a year-to-year basis. That goes doubly in for the last decade.
Offseason player movement means new faces in new places each fall, while legal rulings and rules changes have constantly altered the sport's landscape. One thing that won't be changing any time soon, however, is NIL.
For years now, some of the best players across college football have been able to secure partnerships, endorsement deals and more, on top of direct revenue sharing in the wake of the House vs. NCAA settlement. More than ever, players can determine their financial worth by negotiating deals with schools and their NIL collectives, adding juice to the transfer portal process. Nowadays, it can cost millions of dollars to land a new star quarterback.
At this point, it should come as no surprise that most of the highest reported NIL earners across college football aren't just star quarterbacks, but ones who have transferred to their current team. After an offseason of player movement, some of the sport's superstars are reportedly making $5 million or more off the field.
Here's a look at the 30 highest-paid players in college football for the 2026 season, according On3.com's NIL Valuation database.
MORE:The 7 most compelling QB transfers of the 2026 college football season
1. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Miami Athletics
- 2026 NIL valuation: $6.5 million
If there's one thing Miami has made clear in the NIL era, it's that the Hurricanes' collective will spend big to land a star quarterback. Mensah followed in the footsteps of Cam Ward and Carson Beck by transferring to Miami for a significant financial sum.
After starring at Duke in 2025, throwing 34 touchdown passes vs. six interceptions, Mensah is reportedly college football's highest-compensated player in NIL for 2026.
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2. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
- 2026 NIL valuation: $5 million
Dante Moore could be on an NFL roster by now, as he considered entering the 2025 draft after a terrific debut season as a starter at Oregon last year. Instead, he opted to return to the Ducks, making him a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate.
Expected to become a first-round draft pick once he does head to the NFL, Moore is reportedly making around $5 million in NIL money.
3. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
- 2026 NIL valuation: $5 million
The constant legal battles within college football over the last few years have often been centered around players' eligibility. This past offseason, Trinidad Chambliss was at the center of one of the more high-profile eligibility cases — and after initially being denied a sixth year by the NCAA, he wound up returning to Ole Miss thanks to a successful injunction.
Chambliss has impressed with his dual-threat skills with the Rebels, making himself into one one of college football's highest earners.
MORE:Comparing the 2026 preseason AP, coaches polls
4. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
- 2026 NIL valuation: $5 million
By now, even the most casual of college football fans know Jeremiah Smith. Entering Year 3 at Ohio State — likely his last before heading to the NFL — Smith has been regarded as one of the best wide receiver prospects ever.
After a 1,243-yard season in 2025, Smith will again be starring in Columbus this season, one of the few non-quarterbacks to be bringing in reported millions.
5. Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU
- 2026 NIL valuation: $4.5 million
The Lane Kiffin era is underway at LSU. Once the polarizing coach arrived, he needed a starting quarterback — and with the money the Tigers have committed to their program, they weren't going to settle for anything less than a star.
They landed upon Sam Leavitt, who showcased his elite arm at Arizona State in 2024 and 2025. Leavitt is reportedly making north of $4 million to play for LSU this season.
MORE: Sporting News 2026 Preseason All-America team
6. Demond Williams Jr., QB, Washington
- 2026 NIL valuation: $4 million
In January 2026, Demond Williams Jr. announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal after two years at Washington. It didn't happen. Due to an NIL agreement he had already signed with the Huskies, threatened legal action from the school led to the his return.
With controversy in the past, Williams will be looking to lead the Huskies to double-digit wins for the first time since joining the Big Ten.
7. Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
- 2026 NIL valuation: $4 million
College football's reported highest-paid offensive lineman for 2026 is Jordan Seaton, who was highly sought after in the transfer portal coming out of Colorado this past offseason.
Seaton landed at LSU, where he'll help protect Leavitt as one of the best tackle prospects in the country.
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8. Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana
Rick Janzaruk-Imagn Images
- 2026 NIL valuation: $4 million
Indiana spent big on its Fernando Mendoza replacement for 2026. As Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers look to keep their historic run going after a perfect season, Josh Hoover will be leading the offense.
Hoover threw 29 touchdown passes at TCU in 2025, now set to be surrounded by plenty of talent on an elite Big Ten squad.
9. Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Bryan Terry-Imagn Images
- 2026 NIL valuation: $3.5 million
Yet another transfer quarterback making millions in NIL for 2026 is Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, who signed a reported two-year, $7 million deal to join the Cowboys.
Mestemaker re-united with his North Texas coach, Eric Morris, after impressing in the American Conference in 2025.
10. Bryce Underwood, QB, Michigan
- 2026 NIL valuation: $3 million
The consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, Bryce Underwood, is entering Year 2 as Michigan's starter after an up-and-down freshman season.
Now with a new head coach, Underwood will still be one of the highest-paid quarterbacks by NIL in the country.
11. Byrum Brown, QB, Auburn
Jake Crandall-Imagn Images
- 2026 NIL valuation: $3 million
South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown entered the transfer portal after topping 1,000 rushing yards on top of his 28 touchdown passes in 2025 — and he landed at Auburn, which is giving him a reported $3 million in NIL for 2026.
Brown, like Mestemaker, followed his South Florida coach, Alex Golesh, to a more high-profile team as one of the most experienced passers in the country.
12. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
Michael Clubb-Imagn Images
- 2026 NIL valuation: $3 million
There's plenty of hype surrounding CJ Carr entering his second season as Notre Dame's starter, considered a Heisman Trophy candidate — and for good reason.
In 2025, though the Fighting Irish barely missed the College Football Playoff, Carr went for 24 touchdown passes and six interceptions. He'll be looking for an encore in 2026 while making a reported $3 million in NIL.
13. Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
- 2026 NIL valuation: $3 million
For the 2026 season, Texas A&M has the rare benefit of a quarterback who's been with the same program for three years now. Marcel Reed remains an Aggie, and after leading the team to an 11-2 record in 13 starts last season, he's back for more.
Reed is making a reported $3 million in NIL this season at Texas A&M.
14. Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU
IMAGN
- 2026 NIL valuation: $3 million
SMU has won at least nine games in each of the last three seasons, with a ton of that success attributed to quarterback Kevin Jennings. He's entering his second year as a full-time starter, already with over 7,000 passing yards in his Mustangs career.
Jennings' NIL price tag has gone up as he's become one of the most successful quarterbacks in the nation.
15. Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
Stew Milne/Getty Images
- 2026 NIL valuation: $3 million
If it weren't for Jeremiah Smith, Cam Coleman would likely be recognized as the premiere wide receiver in college football. He took his talents to Texas this season, where he'll be Arch Manning's go-to target.
The Longhorns had to pay up to land Coleman, who totaled 708 yards and five touchdowns for Auburn in 2025.
16. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, QB, Cal
- 2026 NIL valuation: $3 million
Cal hasn't had a quarterback with this much buzz since Jared Goff — and thanks to Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele's talents, hopes are high that the Golden Bears can take a big leap in 2026.
Sagapolutele threw for 3,454 passing yards as Cal's freshman starter in 2025. He's making $3 million in reported NIL money as he enters Year 2.
17. Mason Heintschel, QB, Pitt
- 2026 NIL valuation: $3 million
Mason Heintschel stepped in at quarterback for Pitt in the 2025 season and immediately shined, throwing 16 touchdown passes in 10 games. Not only did he likely earn himself more significant NIL money, but expectations are now higher in 2026.
Heintschel is reportedly commanding $3 million in NIL after his terrific freshman season.
18. Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2.5 million
After finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2025, Julian Sayin is entering his second year as Ohio State's starter with plenty of experience under his belt.
Formerly a five-star recruit, Sayin's passing talents have excelled in the Buckeyes' system; he completed 77% of his passes with 32 touchdowns in Year 1 as a starter.
19. Jackson Cantwell, OT, Miami
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2.5 million
Protecting Mensah on Miami's offensive line in 2026 will be one of the highest-rated recruits in the country, Jackson Cantwell, who committed to the Hurricanes for a reported $2.5 million for his freshman campaign.
In high school, Cantwell broke the national sophomore record in shot put with a toss of 74.975 feet. Now, he'll be putting that athleticism to test for the Hurricanes each week.
20. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2.5 million
Expecting him to be higher on this list? Arch Manning isn't just arguably college football's most recognizable name and most talented quarterback — he also topped this list in 2025 by bringing in a reported $5.5 million in NIL. So what happened?
For one, On3's NIL Valuation methodology changed, measuring a player's contract value, rather than a projection of marketing value like before. On3 updated the model "to reflect major shifts in athlete compensation, most notably the rise of direct player contracts and the growing influence of collectives, roster management and market demand."
That's only part of the reason for Manning's drop to a reported $2.5 million in NIL, though. There's also the part of him reportedly asking to take less in NIL funds to help improve Texas' roster around him — and that worked in the Longhorns' favor, allowing them to land a few top transfers.
21. Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2.5 million
One of the most dominant pass rushers in the country, Colin Simmons is another reason the Longhorns enter 2026 with some hype.
He was a second-team All-American in 2025, posting 12.0 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.
22. Matayo Uiagalelei, DL, Oregon
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2 million
Oregon is reportedly paying handsomely for its star defensive tackle, Matayo Uiagalelei.
He's been with the team since 2023, now making around $2 million in NIL.
23. Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama
Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2 million
Alabama will be getting its first looks at Keelon Russell as a starter in 2026. After joining the Crimson Tide as a freshman last season, he watched behind Ty Simpson.
It now appears to be the former five-star recruit's time to shine, however, as he takes the reigns of the offense in Tuscaloosa.
24. Koi Perich, S, Oregon
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2 million
With Dillon Thieneman heading to the NFL, Oregon had big shoes to fill at safety for 2026. Rather than replace him internally, the Ducks found a premiere safety in the transfer portal.
Coming from Minnesota, Koi Perich will make a reported $2 million in his NIL deal after being a second-team All-American in 2024.
25. Jared Curtis, QB, Vanderbilt
George Robinson/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2 million
Diego Pavia is gone, but Vanderbilt has an exciting new face at quarterback in 2026. One of the top quarterback recruits in the country this past cycle, Jared Curtis, has joined the Commodores.
Curtis appears to be one of the higher-paid freshmen in the country, looking to keep Vanderbilt's momentum going after Pavia's electric 2025 season.
26. Malachi Toney, WR, Miami
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2 million
Malachi Toney had an outstanding freshman season in 2025, totaling 1,211 yards over 16 games as Miami reached the CFP title game. Now, he's a bonafide star in college football.
Toney is another of Miami's higher-paid players who will be looking to finish the job with a championship in 2026.
27. Ethan Grunkemeyer, QB, Virginia Tech
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2 million
James Franklin found a quarterback he's well-familiar with for his first season at Virginia Tech: Ethan Grunkemeyer.
Grunkemeyer, who made seven starts for Penn State during its tough 2025 season, landed with the Hokies for a reported $2 million in NIL.
28. Wendell Gregory, EDGE, Kansas State
Sarah Phipps-USA Today Network
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2 million
Wendell Gregory enters the 2026 with his third team in three years, joining Kansas State after stints at South Carolina and Oklahoma State.
He's reportedly one of the higher-paid defenders in college football after winning the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year award in 2025.
29. CJ Bailey, QB, NC State
David Jensen/Getty Images
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2 million
CJ Bailey enters year three as NC State's starting quarterback in 2026, owning a 12-10 record in his 22 starts for the team to date.
Bailey showed his ceiling in the 2025 season, throwing 25 touchdown passes with six more scores on the ground.
30. Lincoln Kienholz, QB, Louisville
Matt Stone-USA Today Network
- 2026 NIL valuation: $2 million
Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz rounds out the list, also making a reported $2 million in NIL after transferring from Ohio State.
Kienholz appeared in 12 games for the Buckeyes, all as a backup. But at Louisville, he'll have a starting opportunity for the first time.
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