Quarterbacks Own the NIL Era
In the world of college sports, no position commands more attention — or more NIL money — than the quarterback. The role blends visibility, leadership, and constant media coverage, making elite QBs the most marketable athletes in college athletics.
The numbers reflect the trend:
- 24 quarterbacks now hold valuations above $1.5 million
- Nearly half of the top 50 NIL valuations in the country belong to QBs
Football drives the college sports economy, and quarterbacks drive football. Because they’re the faces of their programs, brands and collectives pour resources into them at unprecedented levels.
With that in mind, here’s a fresh look at the 10 quarterbacks generating the highest NIL earnings heading into 2025— and why each one sits near the top.
Top NIL Quarterbacks of 2025
1. Arch Manning — Texas
Estimated NIL Value: ~ $5 million
The Manning surname remains one of the most powerful brands in football, and Arch continues that legacy. His valuation peaked near $6.8 million but has held strong even as Texas battled inconsistency.
Partners: Red Bull, Uber, Vuori, Panini
Manning’s brand power is unmatched — even a down season can’t dampen his marketability.
2. Carson Beck — Miami
Estimated NIL Value: $3.2M–$4.8M
Beck has become the centerpiece of Miami’s resurgence — and a major force in NIL.
Brand Deals: Chipotle, Beast by Dre, Airstar Charter
Collective Boost: Miami’s collective has reportedly played a key role in pushing Beck into the elite earning tier.
3. Bryce Underwood — Michigan
Estimated NIL Value: ~ $3 million (with massive upside)
Few freshmen have ever arrived with more hype or more NIL momentum.
Deals: Hollister, Beats by Dre, Celsius
Headliner: A multi-year Michigan NIL package reportedly worth $10.5M–$12.5M, supported by billionaire booster Larry Ellison and his wife, Jolene Zoo.
Underwood flipped from LSU to Michigan — and NIL was undeniably a factor.
4. LaNorris Sellers — South Carolina
Estimated NIL Value: ~ $2.7 million
Sellers’ decision to remain at South Carolina rather than pursue transfer offers shows how far NIL has come.
Partners: T-Mobile, Beats by Dre, Collegiate Legends
Collective Impact: South Carolina’s collective delivered a retention package strong enough to keep him in Columbia.
5. Fernando Mendoza — Indiana
Estimated NIL Value: ~ $2.6 million
One of 2025’s biggest breakout stars, Mendoza is both a Heisman contender and a NIL climber.
Collective Deal: His agreement with Hoosiers Connect — reportedly worth $1.6 million — anchors his valuation.
6. Julian Sayin — Ohio State
Estimated NIL Value: ~ $2.5 million
Leading the nation’s No. 1-ranked team has its perks.
Partners: EA SPORTS College Football, Panini America
Playing quarterback at Ohio State guarantees exposure — and Sayin is maximizing every opportunity.
7. Ty Simpson — Alabama
Estimated NIL Value: ~ $2.4 million
Simpson has experienced one of the biggest valuation increases of the year.
Deals: Topps, Panini, Harbin Automotive, EA SPORTS
He entered 2025 around $850K; a Heisman-level season pushed him into the multimillion range.
8. Diego Pavia — Vanderbilt
Estimated NIL Value: ~ $2.4 million
Vanderbilt’s rise — and Pavia’s role in it — has made him one of the most surprising NIL super-earners.
Deals: Pacemakr, TruGreen, Raising Cane’s
Despite being undersized, Pavia’s production has placed him firmly on the Heisman radar.
9. Dante Moore — Oregon
Estimated NIL Value: ~ $2.4 million
Moore’s arrival from UCLA helped Oregon reload quickly.
Major Deals: Nike, eBay
Improvement on the field and Oregon’s brand power have pushed him into top-10 territory.
10. Marcel Reed — Texas A&M
Estimated NIL Value: ~ $2.2 million
Reed has been instrumental in Texas A&M’s playoff run — and brands have taken notice.
Signature Partnership: ENG Aviation, a private jet company promoting organ donation
One of the most distinctive NIL agreements in college football.
Why QBs Will Keep Owning NIL Earnings
Three forces keep quarterbacks at the top of the NIL world:
1. They are the faces of their programs
Media exposure, interviews, leader narratives — all run through the QB.
2. They deliver massive ROI to collectives and brands
Quarterbacks directly influence ticket sales, merch, social buzz, and national relevance.
3. Their social media growth is explosive
QB recruits arrive with built-in audiences, accelerating earning potential immediately.
With the transfer portal and NIL both accelerating player movement, quarterback valuations will likely rise even further in the coming years.
RallyFuel Perspective: What Fans Can Do
Quarterbacks dominate the NIL market because they command attention — and because fans rally behind them.
On RallyFuel, supporters can:
- Help elevate their favorite quarterbacks
- Strengthen team momentum
- Contribute directly (and compliantly) to athlete-driven impact
- Fuel NIL success without risk
Your support matters more than ever — especially for the players who shape the season.
Conclusion
The NIL boom has reshaped college football, and no position benefits more than quarterback. From established stars to breakout freshmen, the QB position continues to attract the biggest deals, the strongest collectives, and the most national attention.
And in 2025, the top earners aren’t just winning games — they’re reshaping the entire business of college athletics.
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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