Tight ends have traditionally lived outside the spotlight in college football. But in the new NIL era, that’s changing fast — and one high school senior is redefining what’s possible at the position.
Mark Bowman hasn’t caught his first college pass yet, but he’s already projected to make more money than some NFL Pro Bowl tight ends. The Mater Dei (CA) standout — 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds — is committed to USC as a top 2026 recruit and has reportedly agreed to a potential NIL collective deal worth $5–6.5 million. Factoring in expected additional deals, Bowman’s projected valuation rises toward $10 million.
Not bad for a guy who doesn’t play quarterback, wide receiver, or running back — the traditional glamour positions. Bowman’s value is rooted in his elite recruiting profile: Rivals ranks him as the No. 1 tight end in the Class of 2026 and the No. 2 overall prospect in California. Add USC’s aggressive recruiting strategy and deep NIL war chest — the Trojans already have 31 seniors committed — and Bowman’s earning power becomes clearer.
For perspective, Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end Jake Ferguson is on a four-year $4.3 million rookie contract. Bowman may surpass that before playing a college snap.
Current college tight ends aren’t matching Bowman’s projected numbers, but they’re still banking serious NIL value. The top 10 tight ends in college football all carry valuations of at least $500,000, reflecting the position’s newfound economic muscle.
Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq leads all active college tight ends with an NIL valuation near $750,000. Much of his value has come through Opendorse, but he’s seen additional growth this season thanks to on-field breakout production and his projection as the top tight end prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Former USC tight end Michael Trigg, now starring at Baylor, isn’t far behind. After stints at USC and Ole Miss, he’s widely viewed as the No. 2 tight end prospect for the 2026 draft and continues to climb in NIL valuation.
At Vanderbilt, Eli Stowers passed on entering the 2025 NFL Draft after Anchor Impact — Vandy’s collective — assembled a substantial retention package to keep him in Nashville another season.
Oklahoma’s Jaren Kanak made the rare move from linebacker to tight end for his senior year, and the transition has paid off. With 40 catches this season, Kanak’s valuation has risen steadily.
Houston’s Tanner Koziol has taken one of the more winding paths on this list. After three seasons at Ball State and a short stint at Wisconsin, he landed at Houston, where he has 65 catches and five touchdowns this season. He received NIL support upon transferring in and currently holds a valuation of about $640,000.
Other tight ends rounding out the top-10 valuations include Ole Miss’ Dae’Quan Wright, Ohio State’s Joe Royer and Max Klare, NC State’s Justin Joly, and Notre Dame’s Eli Raridon.
Tight End NIL Rankings 2025
(Estimated Valuations for 2025 Season — RallyFuel)
| Rank | Player | School | Notes / Key Deals | Estimated NIL Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon | Top 2026 NFL TE prospect; Opendorse anchor deals | $750,000 |
| 2 | Michael Trigg | Baylor | Former USC/Ole Miss TE; projected No. 2 TE for 2026 NFL Draft | $700,000 |
| 3 | Tanner Koziol | Houston | Production spike + collective support | $640,000 |
| 4 | Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt | Returned thanks to Anchor Impact’s NIL package | $600,000 |
| 5 | Dae’Quan Wright | Ole Miss | Breakout TE1 role | $575,000 |
| 6 | Jaren Kanak | Oklahoma | LB → TE transition + 40 catches | $550,000 |
| 7 | Joe Royer | Ohio State | Expanded role in OSU offense | $525,000 |
| 8 | Max Klare | Ohio State | Red-zone weapon | $510,000 |
| 9 | Justin Joly | NC State | Emerging receiving threat | $505,000 |
| 10 | Eli Raridon | Notre Dame | ND brand + TE pedigree | $500,000 |
The Incoming Phenomenon: Mark Bowman (USC)
Though not yet on the 2025 list, Mark Bowman is projected to become the highest-valued tight end in NIL history, with an estimated freshman-season valuation approaching $10 million.
USC’s push into NIL-heavy recruiting has created a new blueprint: high-upside tight ends are no longer secondary assets — they’re becoming premium NIL investments.
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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