RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sources
College football's 30 highest-paid players in 2026, from Darian Mensah to Arch Manning originally appeared on The Sporting News .
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
A lot changes in college football on a year-to-year basis. That goes doubly in for the last decade. Offseason player movement means new faces in new places each fall, while legal rulings and rules changes have constantly altered the sport's landscape. One thing that won't be changing any time soon, however, is NIL.
For years now, some of the best players across college football have been able to secure partnerships, endorsement deals and more, on top of direct revenue sharing in the wake of the House vs. NCAA settlement. More than ever, players can determine their financial worth by negotiating deals with schools and their NIL collectives, adding juice to the transfer portal process. Nowadays, it can cost millions of dollars to land a new star quarterback.
At this point, it should come as no surprise that most of the highest reported NIL earners across college football aren't just star quarterbacks, but ones who have transferred to their current team. After an offseason of player movement, some of the sport's superstars are reportedly making $5 million or more off the field.
Here's a look at the 30 highest-paid players in college football for the 2026 season, according On3.com's NIL Valuation database.
MORE: The 7 most compelling QB transfers of the 2026 college football season
1. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Miami Athletics
2026 NIL valuation: $6.5 million
If there's one thing Miami has made clear in the NIL era, it's that the Hurricanes' collective will spend big to land a star quarterback. Mensah followed in the footsteps of Cam Ward and Carson Beck by transferring to Miami for a significant financial sum.
After starring at Duke in 2025, throwing 34 touchdown passes vs. six interceptions, Mensah is reportedly college football's highest-compensated player in NIL for 2026.
SN 140: Greatest teams since 1886 | Greatest teams by decade
2. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
2026 NIL valuation: $5 million
Dante Moore could be on an NFL roster by now, as he considered entering the 2025 draft after a terrific debut season as a starter at Oregon last year. Instead, he opted to return to the Ducks, making him a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate.
Expected to become a first-round draft pick once he does head to the NFL, Moore is reportedly making around $5 million in NIL money.
3. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
2026 NIL valuation: $5 million
The constant legal battles within college football over the last few years have often been centered around players' eligibility. This past offseason, Trinidad Chambliss was at the center of one of the more high-profile eligibility cases — and after initially being denied a sixth year by the NCAA, he wound up returning to Ole Miss thanks to a successful injunction.
Chambliss has impressed with his dual-threat skills with the Rebels, making himself into one one of college football's highest earners.
MORE: Comparing the 2026 preseason AP, coaches polls
4. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
2026 NIL valuation: $5 million
By now, even the most casual of college football fans know Jeremiah Smith. Entering Year 3 at Ohio State — likely his last before heading to the NFL — Smith has been regarded as one of the best wide receiver prospects ever.
After a 1,243-yard season in 2025, Smith will again be starring in Columbus this season, one of the few non-quarterbacks to be bringing in reported millions.
5. Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU
2026 NIL valuation: $4.5 million
The Lane Kiffin era is underway at LSU. Once the polarizing coach arrived, he needed a starting quarterback — and with the money the Tigers have committed to their program, they weren't going to settle for anything less than a star.
They landed upon Sam Leavitt, who showcased his elite arm at Arizona State in 2024 and 2025. Leavitt is reportedly making north of $4 million to play for LSU this season.
MORE: Sporting News 2026 Preseason All-America team
6. Demond Williams Jr., QB, Washington
2026 NIL valuation: $4 million
In January 2026, Demond Williams Jr. announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal after two years at Washington. It didn't happen. Due to an NIL agreement he had already signed with the Huskies, threatened legal action from the school led to the his return.
With controversy in the past, Williams will be looking to lead the Huskies to double-digit wins for the first time since joining the Big Ten.
7. Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
2026 NIL valuation: $4 million
College football's reported highest-paid offensive lineman for 2026 is Jordan Seaton, who was highly sought after in the transfer portal coming out of Colorado this past offseason.
Seaton landed at LSU, where he'll help protect Leavitt as one of the best tackle prospects in the country.
MORE: Ranking the best college football personalities of all-time
8. Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana
Rick Janzaruk-Imagn Images
2026 NIL valuation: $4 million
Indiana spent big on its Fernando Mendoza replacement for 2026. As Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers look to keep their historic run going after a perfect season, Josh Hoover will be leading the offense.
Hoover threw 29 touchdown passes at TCU in 2025, now set to be surrounded by plenty of talent on an elite Big Ten squad.
9. Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Bryan Terry-Imagn Images
2026 NIL valuation: $3.5 million
Yet another transfer quarterback making millions in NIL for 2026 is Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, who signed a reported two-year, $7 million deal to join the Cowboys.
Mestemaker re-united with his North Texas coach, Eric Morris, after impressing in the American ...
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.