Who Is the Highest-Paid College Athlete? Here Are the 10 NCAA Stars Reportedly Worth the Most

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The landscape of college sports has changed dramatically in only the past few years.

With the rise of name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities, today’s top athletes are no longer waiting until they turn pro to make significant money. In July 2021, the NCAA agreed to the new NIL deal, which allows student-athletes to accept sponsorship deals.

Since then, breakout seasons, viral highlights and national recruiting buzz have quickly led to endorsement deals with major brands, trading card companies and apparel partners. Some players have even built seven-figure NIL portfolios before completing a full season as a starter.

According to ESPN, the latest NIL deal comes with certain requirements regarding the brands students associate with and how students can hire professionals to help like agents. While college NIL deals aren't always publicly disclosed, platforms like On3 have gathered information to provide estimates of valuations.

From highly regarded quarterbacks to dynamic scorers on the hardwood, here’s a look at the highest-paid college athletes in 2026, per reports.

01 of 10

Arch Manning, University of Texas, Football, $5.4 million

With his recognizable last name and a strong throwing arm, recruiters were lining up to land Arch Manning.

The grandson of legendary Saints quarterback — and namesake — Archie Manning and the nephew of Super Bowl champions Eli Manning and Peyton Manning, bucked family tradition by taking his talents to the University of Texas at Austin, where he enrolled in 2023.

Since then, Manning — who started as a backup to Quinn Ewers — has become one of the most valuable players on his team and in the NIL space.

The highly touted QB is heading into his senior season with deals from energy drink giant Red Bull, clothing brand Vuori and eyewear company Warby Parker.

Manning also maintains his first ever brand deal pre-Texas, an exclusive partnership with trading card company Panini America, per ESPN.

02 of 10

AJ Dybantsa, Brigham Young University, Basketball, $4.2 million

AJ Dybantsa was one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, receiving offers from Alabama, Kansas and North Carolina before ultimately committing to BYU.

The 6’9” wing’s explosiveness and skills have led to a successful season statistically. He is averaging over 25 points per game, the highest in the country, per his BYU bio.

Off the court, Dybantsa is reportedly earning $4.2 million from NIL deals with major brands like Topps, Nike and Red Bull.

As a potential top-three pick in the 2026 NBA draft, these numbers are likely to increase if he decides to turn professional.

03 of 10

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State University, Football, $4.2 million

The Ohio State University’s Jeremiah Smith has lived up to expectations since arriving on campus.

The former five-star recruit and the No. 1 overall player in the 2024 class is one of the most electrifying young receivers in college football.

His time in Columbus has already earned him accolades like a national championship, first-team All-American, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Rose Bowl MVP and Big Ten Receiver of the Year.

Smith is also among the highest-paid college athletes. His portfolio includes deals with KeyBank, 7-Eleven and American Eagle Outfitters. In 2025, Smith reached a new milestone by becoming the first college athlete ever featured on a Red Bull can, On3 reported.

04 of 10

Sam Leavitt, Louisiana State University, Football, $4 million

Before joining Louisiana State University, Sam Leavitt played quarterback for Michigan State University and Arizona State University.

He earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in his first season at ASU and led the Sun Devils to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.

Leavitt’s second season with the Sun Devils was cut short due to a foot injury that required season-ending surgery, per ESPN, but his performance was enough to attract attention from the LSU Tigers.

When he steps onto the field in Baton Rouge in the fall of 2026, Leavitt will be one of the highest-earning college athletes. His slew of brand deals includes Adidas and Powerade.

05 of 10

Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech University, Football, $3.1 million

After starting his career at Indiana University Bloomington, quarterback Brendan Sorsby transferred to the University of Cincinnati, where he tied the school record for touchdowns in a season by a QB and was named a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award.

Sorsby entered the transfer portal in December 2025 and in January 2026, he signed a letter of intent with Texas Tech. His departure did not go smoothly.

In February 2026, news broke that the University of Cincinnati is suing its former quarterback for breach of contract and seeking a $1 million buyout, according to CBS News. The case is ongoing.

06 of 10

Bryce Underwood, University of Michigan, Football, $3.1 million

Bryce Underwood arrived in Ann Arbor after a highly decorated high school career that included two state championships and multiple Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year honors.

Underwood’s first season as a Wolverine was disrupted by a coaching scandal and ended with a disappointing loss to Texas.

But Underwood is still one of the most skilled and bankable stars in college sports. The Detroit native signed deals with clothing brand Hollister and Beats by Dre.

He was also selected to appear on the EA Sports College Football cover.

07 of 10

Dante Moore, University of Oregon, Football, $3 million

Fans first saw flashes of Dante Moore’s talented arm as a quarterback at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School in Detroit, Mich., where he led his team to consecutive Michigan Division III state championships in 2021 and 2022.

He has since translated that success to the college game. Moore initially joined the UCLA Bruins in 2023, then transferred to the University of Oregon the following year.

His earnings come from high-profile brands, including Nike and Beats by Dre.

08 of 10

Cam Coleman, University of Texas, Football, $2.9 million

Five-star wide receiver Cam Coleman arrived at the University of Texas as one of the most impressive pass catchers in the country after a dominant high school career in Alabama that included a state championship and MVP honors.

Coleman originally committed to Texas A&M before deciding to stay in-state at Auburn. He spent two seasons with the Tigers, where he made the SEC all-freshman team and racked up receiving yards.

Coleman is now making a move to UT Austin in 2026, where he will be paired up with Manning, per ESPN.

Coleman is a magnet for brand partnerships. His NIL deals boast names like Crocs, Nike and Seat Geek.

09 of 10

JT Toppin, Texas Tech University, Basketball, $2.8 million

JT Toppin joined the Texas Tech Red Raiders after starring at the University of New Mexico, where he was named Mountain West Freshman of the Year and showed strong rebounding skills.

At Tech, Toppin has continued to build his profile as a force, earning all-Big 12 First Team honors for two consecutive years and Player of the Year in 2025.

An ACL injury at Arizona State put him out of commission for the rest of the 2026 season, per ESPN, but he is still winning off the court with an NIL valuation of $2.8 million, according to On3.

10 of 10

LaNorris Sellers, University of South Carolina, Football, $2.7 million

Quarterback and dual-threat LaNorris Sellers is one of the most exciting young players in the SEC. The South Carolina native is known for his combination of athleticism, size, speed and arm strength.

Since his redshirt sophomore season, Sellers has been a starter for the past two seasons, producing 43 total touchdowns.

His rapid rise has also translated into off-field opportunities with T-Mobile, Beats by Dre and Raising Cane’s, as part of an NIL valuation estimated at around $2.7 million.

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