11 Wealthiest College Football Quarterbacks Based On NIL Valuation

The 2025 college football season is less than three months away as programs continue navigating through offseason. One of the most difficult parts of that process is roster management.

The ever-revolving transfer portal has created yearly free agency. The importance of player payment is at an all-time high. NIL offers can often make or break a school’s ability to secure talent.

Unsurprisingly, the quarterback position boasts the most expensive players in the sport. Eleven of the Top 12 college football earners are signal callers.

On3 Sports has designed an algorithm that determines the NIL price of each player based on contract values, brand partnerships, marketing opportunities, and social media presence.

These numbers can change, but at the start of June, here are the 11 highest paid passers in the NCAA.

11. John Mateer, Oklahoma Sooners ($2.7 million)

Mateer is heading into his first season with the Sooners after spending three years at Washington State. As a junior, he threw for 3,139 yards while finishing 10th in Division I with 29 touchdowns.

Mateer’s transfer portal exit from Pullman was one that was anticipated. He was reported to have been offered a seven-figure deal to leave the Cougars after just 10 games as a starter.

The passer ultimately landed at Oklahoma, thanks in part to a personalized recruiting pitch from Baker Mayfield. The NIL package didn’t hurt, either!

John Mateer is expected to be one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks next year. If he plays up to his price tag, the Sooners could make some noise.

10. Darian Mensah, Duke Blue Devils ($2.8 million)

Mensah is another high-priced transfer that moved into the Power 4 this offseason. Previously with Tulane, the redshirt freshman threw for 2,273 yards and 22 scores in his first year under center.

After leading the Green Wave to a nine-win regular season and conference championship appearance, Mensah hit the portal. He landed in the ACC with Duke. The Blue Devils offered a massive NIL deal expected to pay out $8 million over the next few years.

That future income makes him the 11th-highest paid player in college football, regardless of position, according to On3 Sports. Duke hopes the investment results in an ACC title run.

9. Bryce Underwood, Michigan Wolverines ($3 million)

Bryce Underwood is the lone true freshman on this list, but his name is one of the most recognizable. The five-star passer made huge NIL waves when he spurned LSU with a last-minute recruiting flip to Michigan.

The Wolverines were the hometown team. They were always going to be hard to beat. Donors made sure it was a battle they wouldn’t lose by ponying up boatloads of cash.

Reports claim that Underwood was pledged $12 million in NIL dough to span the next three-to-four years. That would align with his $3 million valuation.

Bryce Underwood has yet to play a down, but he’s one of the Top 10 highest paid players in college football. Michigan went all in to get its guy.

8. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State Sun Devils ($3.1 million)

Leavitt was one of college football’s best stories last year. He left Michigan State after his true freshman season, appearing in four games to save his redshirt. He then grabbed his first opportunity as a starter with the Sun Devils, and he didn’t disappoint!

Arizona State won the Big 12 and made the first 12-team College Football Playoff last season. Leavitt was a big reason why. The signal caller racked up 3,328 yards of total offense to set a freshman record in Tempe.

Leavitt saved his best play for late in the year. He ended his campaign with five straight 200-yard passing performances and a 10:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

The Sun Devils rewarded him with a hefty NIL payout. They’ll look to make another run with their starter returning.

7. Drew Allar, Penn State Nittany Lions ($3.1 million)

Drew Allar is another returning College Football Playoff passer, having led the Nittany Lions to 13 wins in 2024. He enters his senior year with national championship aspirations after nearly knocking off runner-up Notre Dame in the semifinals.

Allar possesses size and strength. He’s got a huge arm and has typically been safe with the football. Those traits have many putting him near the top of NFL Draft boards.

He’ll have to wait one season longer before banking that professional payday. Luckily, he won’t be short on cash. Allar’s NIL valuation sits north of $3 million. Penn State opened up the checkbook to keep him put.

6. Cade Klubnik, Clemson Tigers ($3.4 million)

Klubnik was one of the most productive passers in college football last season. His NIL status reflects that. The former five-star quarterback is gearing up for his third season guiding the Tigers offense.

Last year, Klubnik led Clemson to an ACC title and College Football Playoff appearance. He threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns, which ranked second in the conference behind No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward.

Klubnik has partnered with major brands like Macy’s, Chevrolet, EA Sports, and Rhoback. He’s one of the more highly marketable passers, boasting a social media following close to 145,000.

With their starter back under center in 2025, the Tigers are a legitimate national title contender.

5. DJ Lagway, Florida Gators ($3.7 million)

DJ Lagway is one of the younger players on this list, having just wrapped up his true freshman season with the Gators. He’s also one of the least experienced. That didn’t keep the school from paying its superstar top dollar.

Lagway started just seven games last year but posted an impressive 6-1 record with wins over the likes of LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida State. His return to The Swamp has Florida believing it can make some noise in the SEC.

Lagway arrived to Gainesville with much fanfare. The five-star passer chose the Gators over a slew of other suitors. They’ve now rewarded him with a massive payday. His NIL value should only grow as his career continues.

4. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina Gamecocks ($3.7 million)

LaNorris Sellers became a household name in Year 1 as the South Carolina Gamecocks starter. Relatively unknown prior to 2024, he burst onto the scene by nearly leading his team to a College Football Playoff appearance.

Sellers possesses a huge frame, big arm, and shiftiness in the pocket. His ability to evade trouble and create plays drives defenses mad. Last year, he threw for 2,524 yards and ran for 674 more. His workload is only expected to increase as a redshirt sophomore, as is his NIL wealth.

The Gamecocks ponied up to keep the passer on the roster. He’s far and away the highest paid player on the roster. His $3.7 million valuation ranks fifth in all of college football.

3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU Tigers ($3.8 million)

Garrett Nussmeier is one of the favorites to go No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. He toyed with the idea of leaving Baton Rouge last season before ultimately deciding to return. LSU’s NIL offer made that decision easier.

Nussmeier’s near-$4 million valuation ranks second amongst SEC quarterbacks. He’s partnered with major brands like Powerade and Cheez-It across his four-year career. His portfolio should only continue to expand in his senior year.

Last season, the LSU passer threw for more than 4,000 yards while leading the Tigers to nine wins. He’ll have College Football Playoff aspirations heading into his final campaign.

2. Carson Beck, Miami Hurricanes ($4.3 million)

Carson Beck moved on from Georgia last offseason after five years in Athens. He landed at Miami, in part, due to a lucrative NIL offer from the Hurricanes. Beck is expected to make more than $4 million in his final college football season.

There were rumors that he’d spurned opportunities with both Georgia and Alabama to start fresh in the ACC. He’ll replace Cam Ward under center.

Beck’s time with the Bulldogs ended unfortunately as he suffered an injury in his final game. The quarterback left the SEC Championship at halftime and was unable to play in the College Football Playoff.

Rather than return and compete for the starting role with Gunner Stockton, he took the bag offered by Miami. He’ll be QB1 in Coral Gables next year.

Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns ($6.8 million)

It’s no surprise to see Arch Manning atop this list. He’s one of the biggest names in the sport thanks to his impressive football family. Like his uncles and grandfather before him, he made his way to the SEC.

He ultimately rejected the opportunity continue family traditions at Ole Miss or Tennessee, though. Instead, he signed with Texas where he’ll take over full-time starting duties as a junior.

Manning’s NIL valuation is massive compared to everyone else on the list. His $6.8 million projection is roughly $2.5 million more than No. 2. He’s partnered with major brands like Uber, Red Bull, and Panini America.

Those impressive partnerships have actually freed up money for Texas to spend elsewhere. Despite not receiving a dime from the school, Arch Manning is the richest passer in college football.