The most valuable position in Div. I college football is now the most expensive, too.
At least 13 quarterbacks, led by Miami’s Darian Mensah, are expected to make over $3 million in 2026, according to a new report from On3 Sports.
The NIL has changed college athletics forever. The new era allows athletes to benefit from their name, image and likeness. This can be in a variety of ways, such as through endorsement deals, jersey sales, autograph signings, etc.
Some feel the NIL era has gotten out of hand. There isn’t a salary cap or really any guidelines. The teams that can spend the most have a clear advantage over teams that are limited. That makes it more important than ever to nail your evaluations.
Players are incentivized to remain in school longer than maybe expected or necessary. This in light of lucrative NIL deals and guaranteed income versus the unpredictable nature of the NFL Draft and contract totals tailing off after first-round selections.
Players like Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss and Oregon’s Dante Moore opted to remain in school for 2026 instead of testing the NFL. In some ways, staying in school is now the safer financial bet.
Who doesn’t want to be the big man on campus for another year?
Let’s Dive into the Numbers:
1) Darian Mensah, Miami — $6+ million
2) Dante Moore, Oregon — $5 million
3) Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss — $5 million
4) Sam Leavitt, LSU — $4.5 million
5) Josh Hoover, Indiana — $4.5 million
The numbers provide a fascinating look at the financial landscape of college football. The five highest-paid college quarterbacks reportedly make less than NFL rookie Mendoza, $10.4 million, but all five make more than all non-first-round picks in the comparison.
The comparison also shows how dramatically NIL has changed the incentives facing elite college quarterbacks. In the past, leaving college early for an NFL opportunity was almost always the obvious financial decision. Now, players have to weigh the guaranteed or near-guaranteed NIL money available in college against their potential rookie contract and draft position.
As college football continues to evolve, these numbers could become even more important. The gap between college and professional football is no longer as simple as players leaving school to chase the biggest paycheck. For some quarterbacks, the biggest paycheck may already be waiting for them in college.
Source: si.com; sportandstate.com
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