In 2026, the transfer portal will overhaul the list of top-earning college football players.
Money is, more than ever, the name of the game as teams overhaul their rosters through the college football equivalent of National Football League free agency. Not only are big names jumping from team to team, but they are also chasing big money.
This trend is especially clear at the quarterback position. This offseason, top transfers — and a few returners — are cashing in on paydays worth more than some NFL starting quarterbacks make.
The transfer portal has become one of the biggest accelerators of QB transfer NIL deals. In 2026, movement between programs is directly tied to contract size, media exposure, and collective backing. As a result, quarterback NIL money 2026 increasingly reflects not just performance — but leverage created by transfer dynamics.
This shift has reshaped portal NIL quarterback rankings, where projected value often spikes immediately after a high-profile transfer announcement.
Against that backdrop, here’s a look at the projected top-earning college quarterbacks for the 2026 season:
ARCH MANNING, TEXAS
Instead of transferring or entering the 2026 NFL Draft, Manning is returning to Texas and enjoying a very comfortable lifestyle in Austin. Reportedly, he made over $6 million in 2025, a figure that could rise if he finally lives up to the hype that has followed him since high school.
BRENDAN SORSBY, TEXAS TECH
After putting up big numbers at Cincinnati in 2025, Sorsby became the most sought-after quarterback in the transfer portal. To land Sorsby, Texas Tech’s collective assembled a deal worth around $5 million, which he could supplement nicely with NIL deals.
SAM LEAVITT, UNDECIDED
Leavitt, the top remaining quarterback available in the transfer portal, starred at Arizona State over the last two seasons. A player many say is a better pure passer than Sorsby, he has potential suitors lining up. When all is said and done, Leavitt could land a bigger payday than Sorsby; LSU, Oregon, and Kentucky are among the favorites to land his services.
JOSH HOOVER, INDIANA
The Hoosiers experienced fantastic luck with transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza during a magical 2025 season. Now, they look to repeat that success in 2026 with Hoover’s arrival, who reportedly received more than $4 million to transfer from TCU.
DARIAN MENSAH, DUKE
Although Mensah briefly considered entering the NFL Draft, Duke made his decision to stay simple by offering a package worth about $4 million.
DJ LAGWAY, BAYLOR
Having made about $3.7 million in Gainesville last season, the former Florida quarterback attracted plenty of big-name suitors offering big money. Ultimately, Baylor won out with a deal worth more than $4 million.
BRYCE UNDERWOOD, MICHIGAN
After Sherrone Moore was fired, significant speculation arose about Underwood’s future. Briefly, he entered the transfer portal but chose to stay in Ann Arbor, where he was valued at $3.7 million last season and will now play for new coach Kyle Whittingham.
TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS, OLE MISS
Chambliss has been one of the best stories in college football this season, and a possible return in 2026 comes with a qualifier. He has exhausted his typical college eligibility but has filed a waiver for a retroactive medical redshirt from his time at Division II Ferris State in 2022. He’s awaiting an NCAA ruling. If granted another season, he’s likely to earn over $3 million.
DESOMOND WILLIAMS JR., UNDECIDED
Williams shocked everyone—including officials at Washington—by entering the transfer portal just four days after signing a lucrative deal to remain with the Huskies. As an Arizona native, Arizona State appears to be a logical landing spot.
DREW MESTEMAKER, OKLAHOMA STATE
Leading the nation in passing during his lone season at North Texas, Mestamaker followed coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State and secured a deal worth around $2 million.
Highest-Paid QB Transfers
The largest QB transfer NIL deals in 2026 are tied to quarterbacks moving into playoff-contending programs or major media markets. These athletes benefit from immediate visibility upgrades, stronger collective funding, and aggressive brand campaigns.
Several top-tier transfers have redefined quarterback NIL money 2026, signing record-setting agreements shortly after entering the portal.
How the Portal Reshapes QB NIL
The modern portal acts as a valuation reset button. When elite QBs enter the transfer market, bidding environments emerge — increasing competitive pressure among collectives.
This environment significantly impacts portal NIL quarterback rankings, as transfer buzz drives social growth and media coverage. In many cases, QB transfer NIL deals are finalized before the first snap at a new school.
The portal now functions as both a competitive tool and a financial catalyst.
Top-Earning Transfer Quarterbacks
The top earners in quarterback NIL money 2026 are typically those who combine:
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Proven performance at their previous program
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High recruiting pedigree
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Strong digital presence
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Playoff-level team positioning
These factors push athletes upward in portal NIL quarterback rankings, often surpassing returning starters who remain at the same school.
As NIL markets mature, the transfer portal has become one of the strongest drivers of QB transfer NIL deals. The evolution of quarterback NIL money 2026 confirms that mobility now equals leverage — and portal-driven movement continues to reshape elite NIL valuation models.
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
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