The landscape of college football’s taken a wild turn with the NCAA transfer portal and players cashing in on their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Gone are the days when athletes just waited on the bench or schools slipped money under the table.
Now, if a program can rally enough donor dollars, they’re suddenly in the game—sometimes even leading it. Indiana, Texas Tech, and Ole Miss have shot up the ranks, and it’s not because of old-school recruiting. Since January 2, 2023, more than 4,000 players have hit the transfer portal. It’s a scramble for talent, and NIL money is often the deciding factor.
The Changing Dynamics of College Football
College football isn’t just about touchdowns anymore. It’s about who can back their team with the most cash and opportunity.
The transfer portal has let athletes chase better situations, and the NIL rules have put real dollars in their pockets. If a program can pull in big donors, they’re suddenly a contender. Like it or not, this is the new normal.
Emerging Powerhouses
Indiana, Texas Tech, and Ole Miss—who saw that coming? Their knack for attracting serious donor money has turned them into destinations for top players.
They’re reshaping the whole competitive map. Legacy programs can’t just coast on history anymore. Now, they’ve got to keep up in the financial arms race too.
Top Players in the Transfer Portal with High NIL Valuations
The transfer portal’s buzzing, and a handful of athletes aren’t just talented—they’re worth a fortune. Their choices could swing the season for whoever lands them.
Here’s a look at some of these headline-makers.
Byrum Brown
Byrum Brown, a true dual-threat QB, followed his coach Alex Golesh to Auburn. At 6’3″, he racked up 3,158 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, plus 1,008 rushing yards and 14 more scores.
He led the Bulls to a 9-3 regular season. Brown’s NIL value? $1.6 million. Not bad for a college kid.
Cam Coleman
Cam Coleman, formerly at Auburn, is about to get paid—some say up to $2 million. He’s the No. 1 player in the portal and everyone’s after him.
Wherever he lands, that team’s receiver room just gets a whole lot better.
Josh Hoover
Josh Hoover’s set to be college football’s leading returning passer in 2026, with 9,629 yards at TCU. He’s replacing projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza at Indiana.
Hoover’s NIL valuation sits at $2 million. Indiana’s hype train doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon.
Drew Mestemaker
Drew Mestemaker wasn’t even a varsity starter in high school. Now? He led college football with 4,379 passing yards and is following North Texas coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State.
His NIL value is a hefty $2.3 million. Talk about a glow-up.
Leavitt
Leavitt’s still on the board, and everyone’s waiting to see where he lands. His 2024 numbers weren’t quite as electric as before, but he’s still a dual-threat with sky-high potential.
He’s expected to pull in around $3.1 million in NIL money. That’s superstar territory.
Brendan Sorsby
Brendan Sorsby turned heads with a breakout 2025 season. The former Indiana QB threw for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, and added nine rushing scores.
Now at Texas Tech, he’s not just on a title contender—he’s cashing in with an NIL valuation of $3.3 million. Not too shabby for a guy once overlooked.
The Future of College Football
Honestly, it’s impossible to separate college football’s future from NIL deals and the transfer portal. Programs with deep pockets will keep rising, and players have more leverage than ever to cash in on their talent.
It’s a leveler, in a way. Suddenly, schools that never had a shot are making noise. Feels like we’re just getting started.
Impact on Traditional Powerhouses
Traditional powerhouses can’t just bank on their old-school reputation anymore. These days, they’ve got to fight for top recruits by putting serious money on the table with NIL deals.
It’s made college football a lot more wild and unpredictable. Suddenly, new schools are popping up as contenders, while the old giants scramble to keep up.
If you’re curious about which NCAA transfer portal players have the highest NIL valuations, check out the full article on Sports Illustrated.
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