With Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell, Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain, and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey headed for the 2026 NFL draft, there’s going to be a shakeup in the list of top NIL earners among defensive players for the 2026 college football season.
Downs led the list of top-paid defensive players in 2025 with a $2.4 million estimated valuation, while Woods and Bailey each earned over $1 million in a combination from their respective schools’ collectives and NIL deals.
With those three out of the picture, some top-earning defenders (mostly edge rushers) still are scheduled to return in 2026, and some rising defensive stars are expected to emerge as top NIL earners. Here’s a look at the top defensive players with the most NIL earning potential for 2026.
DYLAN STEWART, EDGE RUSHER, SOUTH CAROLINA
Stewart was viewed as a potential top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But, in December, he announced he would stay at South Carolina for his true junior season. The Garnet Trust, South Carolina’s collective, reportedly kicked in $1.5 million to keep Stewart in Columbia. Stewart already had several NIL deals with businesses around South Carolina. After a stellar 2025 season, Stewart almost certainly will add more deals in 2026, and his potential earnings could end up topping the $3 million mark.
COLIN SIMMONS, EDGE RUSHER, TEXAS
There were strong rumors that Simmons might enter the transfer portal, but that didn’t happen. Simmons is earning about $1.5 million from Texas’ collective, and he already has several NIL deals, including ones with Beats by Dre, Sonic, and Hollister. After a 12-sack season in 2025, Simmons is likely to add to his NIL portfolio in 2026 and could end up being the nation’s top earner among defensive players before all is said and done.
DAVID STONE, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, OKLAHOMA
Stone briefly considered entering the transfer portal after a 2025 season in which he had 16 tackles for a loss and nine sacks. He’s viewed as one of the top interior linemen in the country, and Oklahoma’s collective has given him an incentive-laden deal for the 2026 season. Viewed as a potential top-three pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, Stone will have an estimated $2 million NIL valuation in 2026.
CLEV LUBIN, EDGE RUSHER, LOUISVILLE
Lubin’s decision to return to Louisville for the 2026 season set off a major celebration among Cardinals fans. He’s one of the nation’s top pass rushers and recorded 8.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss in 2025. His estimated NIL valuation could exceed $2 million.
DAMON WILSON II, EDGE RUSHER, UNDECIDED
After playing the 2025 season at Missouri and previously at Georgia, Wilson is the top defensive lineman still available in the transfer portal. Teams are competing to sign Wilson with lucrative offers. LSU and Miami, both with significant NIL budgets, are strong contenders.
CHAZ COLEMAN, EDGE RUSHER, TENNESSEE
The former Penn State player originally was considered the top defensive player in this year’s transfer portal, and it was widely assumed the Ohio native would end up at Ohio State. But that didn’t happen. Coleman pulled a major surprise when he signed with Tennessee. The Volunteers reportedly are shelling out about $1.5 million to bring in Coleman, who will be able to boost his earnings through deals with companies in Tennessee and beyond.
JOHN HENRY DALEY, EDGE RUSHER, MICHIGAN
Daley’s transfer to Michigan was one of the most predictable moves of the offseason. After recording 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss at Utah last season, Daley didn’t stay in the portal for long. After former Utah coach Kyle Whittiingham jumped to Michigan, Daley quickly followed him and got a six-figure deal from the Wolverines.
MATEEN IBIROGBA, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, TEXAS TECH
After starting his career at Georgetown and spending last season at Wake Forest, Ibirogba generated significant interest when he entered the transfer portal. Texas Tech won the sweepstakes and reportedly gave him a seven-figure deal.
LAMAR BROWN, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, LSU
Viewed by many as the top defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class, LSU put together a significant NIL package to land Brown. He’s expected to make an immediate impact under new coach Lane Kiffin.
KOI PERICH, SAFETY, OREGON
His transfer from Minnesota to Oregon came as a surprise to many. When news broke that he was entering the transfer portal, many thought he would stay in the Big Ten and go to Ohio State, where Downs had made the safety position into a glamour spot. But Oregon reportedly swayed KOI PERICH with a deal in the mid- to high-six figures.
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