College football’s changing fast these days, thanks to transfer portals and, of course, the whole Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) thing. At Michigan, six players are heading into fall camp looking at some serious NIL growth.
Some of these guys are still earning under $100k, but this season could be their ticket to bigger deals. So, who are they, and what makes them worth watching?
Chase Taylor: Stepping Into the Spotlight
Michigan lost three linebackers last season, which leaves Chase Taylor with a big opportunity. Trent Knoop has Taylor starting this year alongside Troy Bowles and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng.
Taylor’s NIL sits at $180,615 right now, but if he delivers on the field, you can bet that number’s going up.
Why Taylor’s NIL Could Skyrocket
He’s about $350,000 behind Bowles and Owusu-Boateng in NIL earnings. That’s a pretty big gap.
If Taylor has a strong junior year, he might just close it. Eyes are definitely on him this fall.
Salesi Moa: The Five-Star Prospect
Salesi Moa came in as a five-star prospect, mostly to help fix last year’s dropped pass problem—quarterback Bryce Underwood had 28 of them. Moa’s the seventh-highest-paid Wolverines receiver, making $165,477.
Still, with guys like Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan ahead of him, his chances to start aren’t great.
The Path to a Bigger NIL Paycheck for Moa
Marsh, Buchanan, and Ffrench are all pulling in close to $900,000 each. If Moa can hang on to the ball and make an impact, he could see his own NIL shoot up.
Scouts and sponsors are bound to keep tabs on him if he gets the chance.
Shamari Earls: A Comeback Story
Shamari Earls had his freshman season cut short by injury. Now he’s healthy and back for 2026, aiming for that No.4 roster spot.
His NIL is at $132,052, so there’s definitely some room to grow.
Potential for Increased NIL Earnings
If Michigan’s staff sees what they want from Earls, his NIL should rise. It’s really all about what he does this sophomore season.
Edokpayi: The Breakout Player
Edokpayi is sitting at $115,893 in NIL earnings, making him the seventh-highest-paid position player right now. He’s seen as a potential breakout, but let’s be honest—John Henry Daley and Cameron Brandt are both making over a million.
That’s a big hill to climb.
Why Edokpayi Could See a Pay Increase
It’s simple: perform on the field, and the money follows. If Edokpayi steps up, his NIL could get a serious bump.
Carr: The Backup Quarterback
Carr is backing up after the Spring game and is one of the lowest-paid guys on the roster, with $60,000 in NIL. Still, being a solid backup to Bryce Underwood could change things for him.
How Carr Can Boost His NIL Value
If he has a strong fall camp and shows he’s reliable, Carr could pull in a lot more. Backup QBs don’t always get the spotlight, but when they do, it pays off.
Vallejo: The Under-Recruited Talent
New head coach Kyle Whittingham thinks the defensive line is the team’s strongest group, and Vallejo is a big part of that. He’s got a $75,000 NIL paycheck, so he’s got plenty to prove this year.
Potential for Vallejo’s NIL Growth
Vallejo’s wrestling background gives him a unique edge as he steps onto Michigan’s defensive line. There’s a real chance he could stick around and make a name for himself at the collegiate level.
If he puts up strong performances, his NIL value could jump quite a bit. That kind of improvement tends to catch the eye of sponsors looking for rising talent.
As fall camp approaches, scouts, sponsors, and fans are all watching closely. Will these players exceed expectations? If they do, it’s likely their NIL paychecks will reflect that.
It’s a pretty clear message—deliver on the field, and you’ll be rewarded in the Michigan football program. For more details, check out the Michigan Football Community.
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