Who are the highest-paid NIL athletes in college football? Exploring the top 5 stars ft. Bryce Young and Caleb Williams

Many NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals are more famous than confirmed to be lucrative because most of them are not defined. In some instances, we are aware of the endorsements' worth. In either case, they have given this eagerly anticipated era an exhilarating beginning.

The commercial side of sports can now start when athletes enroll in high school rather than when they go pro. The NCAA started letting athletes make earnings through branding and advertising deals in 2021. Players were limited to earning money in the form of scholarships until then.

The top collegiate football players according to their NIL worth

#5 - Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas: $1.8 million

Bijan Robinson of Texas participates in a drill during the NFL Combine

Bijan Robinson has served as the poster boy for the Texas Longhorns for over a few years and is the clear No. 1 back projected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Although Robinson's worth has slightly decreased over the past several weeks, he is still known to have a minimum of five endorsement agreements, including a juicy one with Lamborghini. Thanks to the buzz around him, Robinson has a NIL valuation of more than $1.8 million.

#4 - CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State: $3 Million

CJ Stroud of Ohio State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine

Last season's on-field accomplishments of former Heisman contender CJ Stroud probably boosted his chances of off-field compensation.

The famous quarterback made news when he joined together with Ohio's Sarchione Auto Gallery. Stroud was then spotted cruising downtown in a preowned Bentley that cost $150,000. Numerous mock drafts now have Stroud as the top choice, and businesses are eager to capitalize.

After agreeing to a NIL contract with clothing retailer Express, he also gave $500 gift cards to all the other players on his team.

#3 - Caleb Williams, QB, University of Southern California: $3.2 million

Quarterback Caleb Williams of the USC Trojans speaks to the media during a press conference after winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy

Caleb Williams, who has already won the Heisman Trophy, is on the rise in college football and certainly seems headed for the NFL draft in the not-too-distant future.

Williams has already signed contracts with companies including Athletic Brewing Company, Fanatics, and AT&T, and On3 NIL values him at $3.2 million in 2023.

#2 - Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: $3.5 million

Quarterback Bryce Young of Alabama looks on during the NFL Combine

Bryce Young already earned approximately $800,000 through NIL agreements with Onyx Authenticated, Cash App, and many trading card businesses before even taking his place as the starting QB for Alabama.

If it involves securing sponsorship agreements for professional athletes, the Creative Artist Agency is the industry's frontrunner. Young has used this representation to get several NIL deals. Young's relationship with Nissan and Dr. Pepper has caused him to appear in several advertisements, as any regular fan would have noticed. Along with several lesser collaborations, he also secured a well-known arrangement with "Beats by Dre."

When he inked his NIL deal with the firm, Bryce Young gave his entire Alabama teammate Beats with Dre headphones, similar to what CJ Stroud did. He presently has a NIL value of about $3.5 million.

#1 - Arch Manning, QB, University of Texas: $3.8 Million

Arch Manning attends the game between the Texas Longhorns and the TCU Horned Frogs

The highest-paid NCAA football player is Arch Manning, a freshman QB for the University of Texas, with a valuation of $3.8 million annually. Manning, who comes from a well-known football lineage, turned down all NIL offers until he made a commitment to a university, which he did by choosing Texas last year. In January 2023, he enrolled in Texas one semester early in order to participate in the upcoming fall season. Manning will likely secure higher-paying sponsorship agreements now that he is enrolled in college.