- The 2025-26 academic year was the first full season in which colleges could pay athletes directly.
- The On3 NIL valuation reflects the current player contract value. Some are valued in the millions.
- Top college athletes have worked with brands like Nike and Beats by Dre.
Plus, in May 2024, as part of a major antitrust settlement, the NCAA and its five power conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC) agreed that schools can directly pay their athletes for the first time in college athletics history.
This took effect in July 2025, making the 2025-26 academic year the first full season where college athletes could be compensated by their schools.
Spencer Wadsworth, the senior vice president of global soccer at Wasserman, a global sports, music, and entertainment company, previously told Business Insider that NIL has helped take the pressure off some athletes to go pro prematurely.
“I think knowing that you can still earn some living — technically get paid for your sport — and continue your studies is extremely positive because everyone does have their own journey,” Wadsworth said.
The On3 NIL valuation reflects the current player contract value. The following athletes’ valuations are based on confirmed player contracts, rather than an athlete’s marketing value or endorsement potential.
With valuations starting at $5 million, here’s a look at the top 10 student-athletes with the biggest college compensation packages. These figures were accurate as of August 2026.
10. Trinidad Chambliss — $5 million
University of Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is preparing for his second season with the Ole Miss Rebels.
Chambliss was the 2025 SEC Newcomer of the Year after helping lead the Rebels to the College Football Playoff.
In an interview with Vanity Fair published in April, Chambliss said when he first started college, he budgeted $100 for two weeks’ worth of groceries. “It’s just wild to see, like, the first check hit, and it’s like, wow, I have that much money. That’s crazy,” Chambliss said.
Chambliss has a $5 million NIL valuation, per On3. In July, Nike announced that he was one of eight college football athletes added to its NIL roster.
- Massamba Diop — $5 million
The 7-foot-1 Gonzaga University center, Massamba Diop, is preparing for his first season with the Gonzaga University Bulldogs after transferring from Arizona State.
Hailing from Rufisque, Senegal, Diop played most of his basketball career in Spain.
“He’s just very advanced,” former head coach Bobby Hurley said about Diop on the Bickley & Marotta radio show in February. “He was very well-coached. Very fluid player. Good IQ for the game, very skilled. He just knows not to put himself in bad positions.”
Diop has a $5 million NIL valuation.
- Thomas Haugh — $5 million
University of Florida forward Thomas Haugh passed up a projected lottery spot in the 2026 NBA draft to return for his senior season with the Gators.
At 6-foot-9, Haugh led Florida last season with 17.1 points per game and averaged 6.1 rebounds.
“Florida is going to have the highest-paid player in all of college basketball this season,” CBS Sports analyst Matt Norlander said of Haugh’s decision to return to Florida in April.
“Rightfully so. He has put in the time. He’ll be a preseason first-team All-American. He was the key cog on a national championship-winning team,” Norlander added.
Haugh has an NIL valuation of $5 million and was part of a March Madness NIL campaign with Walmart and Dove.
- Tyran Stokes — $5 million
University of Kansas guard Tyran Stokes is preparing for his first season with the Kansas Jayhawks after playing for Rainier Beach High School.
The 6-foot-8 guard averaged 31.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 4.0 steals last season.
“Tyran is as versatile a youngster that I’ve ever recruited. He can score, and he’s a terrific rebounder. He’s powerful and can be a great facilitator, and maybe what he does best is pass the basketball,” said Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self in a press release.
With over 347,000 followers on Instagram, Stokes has a NIL valuation of $5 million. He signed an NIL deal with Nike in 2025.
- Tounde Yessoufou — $5 million
St. John’s University wing Tounde Yessoufou is preparing for his first season with the Red Storm, having withdrawn from the 2026 NBA draft after transferring from the Baylor Bears.
“He’s a special talent, and we’re excited to have him in a Johnnies uniform,” said head coach Rick Pitino in a press release announcing Yessoufou’s transfer.
Yessoufou has an NIL valuation of $5 million. He signed a deal with Reebok in June. In an Instagram post, the company wrote that Yessoufou is “one of the game’s most exciting rising talents.”
- Jeremiah Smith — $5 million
The Ohio State University wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is preparing for his third season with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Smith has also been awarded the Ohio State Iron Buckeye for three consecutive years.
“He’s a gentleman, a high character guy who does everything right,” Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day said during Big Ten media days in July. “We’re very fortunate he’s a Buckeye. He’s done so many great things for us. But he wants this year to be his best.”
Smith, who has over 815,000 followers on Instagram and works with brands like Red Bull and Adidas, has an NIL valuation of $5 million. Most recently, Adidas made Smith the face of the Virginia Adistar Jellyfish sneaker.
- Dante Moore — $5 million
University of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore decided not to enter the 2026 NFL Draft and will instead return to school for his third season with the Oregon Ducks.
Some of the redshirt junior’s recent accolades include winning offensive MVP at the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl and being a finalist for the 2025 Manning Award. This year, he’s on the Maxwell Award watch list and earned Big Ten Preseason Honors.
“This offseason, me and my teammates have made tremendous changes to our body, speed,” Moore told reporters in an interview at the 2026 Big Ten Media Days ahead of the season.
“Coach Wilson Love, our head strength coach, has done a great job just pushing me in the weight room, pushing the team, and I kind of feel like there’s no looking back now,” he added.
Moore has NIL partnerships with brands such as Nike, Beats by Dre, and Panini America. His NIL valuation is $5 million.
- Flory Bidunga — $6 million
University of Louisville forward Flory Bidunga will play his first season with the Louisville Cardinals after transferring from Kansas.
On3 and 247Sports ranked him No.1 in the 2026 College Basketball Transfer Portal.
Originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bidunga was named the 2025—26 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-Big 12 First Team and Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors. He was also one of five finalists for the 2026 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award.
“Flory is a game changer,” said Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey, in a press release announcing Bidunga’s signing. “He has an elite ability to change the game on the defensive end with his rim protection and physicality in the paint.”
Bidunga has an NIL valuation of $6 million. Under Armour selected him for its 2025 NIL Collegiate Basketball Class.
- Milan Momcilovic — $6 million
University of Kentucky forward Milan Momcilovic is preparing to play his first season with the Wildcats, transferring from Iowa State, where he played three seasons. He withdrew from the 2026 NBA Draft before transferring to Kentucky.
Momcilovic, who is 6-foot-8, earned the NABC All-Central District first-team and All-Big 12 second-team honors.
“I do think Milan is a really important piece for us. Not because he was early or late, because he fits me,” Wildcats head coach Mark Pope said in a July interview with Kentucky Sports Radio. “He fits what I care about. He fits how we play. He’s a veteran, veteran guy.”
Momcilovic has an NIL valuation of $6 million. He landed an NIL deal with Paul Miller Ford, a Lexington-based Ford dealer.
- Darian Mensah — $6.5 million
University of Miami quarterback Darian Mensah is preparing for his first season with the Hurricanes after transferring from Duke. The redshirt junior previously spent two seasons at Tulane and one season at Duke.
Mensah earned second-team All-ACC and Academic All-ACC honors in 2025. He was also a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, which recognizes the country’s top quarterback.
“A complete professional,” Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said of Mensah in April. “Ownership of the system, great command, personality, arm talent, escapability, pocket presence, accurate, knowledge [and] a great energy about him as well. People gravitate to him, and people are attracted to that kind of energy.”
At $6.5 million, Mensah tops On3’s NIL 100. Mensah signed an NIL partnership with luxury-watch dealer Derby Watch Supply in July. Under the agreement, he will promote a Rolex Datejust.
Editor’s note: This story was first published in August 2024 and was most recently updated in August 2026.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
