The landscape of college football has changed a lot, especially with the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. The University of Tennessee football team is right in the thick of it, with a handful of players set to negotiate better NIL pay after standout 2025 seasons.
This article takes a closer look at how players like DeSean Bishop, Braylon Staley, and others have boosted their market value. They’re using their success on the field to earn more off it.
As NIL negotiations become a regular part of college football life, they’re starting to shape big decisions. Transfers, the NFL draft—these choices feel more tied to NIL every season.
NIL Negotiations: A New Era in College Football
Since July, schools have been able to pay athletes directly through revenue sharing. That’s on top of third-party NIL deals, which only adds to the mix.
This shift has made NIL negotiations a huge part of the sport. Players who step up on the field now have real leverage to ask for higher pay.
DeSean Bishop: From Walk-On to All-SEC
No one on Tennessee’s roster has seen their value climb like running back DeSean Bishop. He started as a walk-on and earned a scholarship in January.
Bishop then had a breakout year, making the All-SEC second team with 983 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. His performance has shot his NIL value way up, and he’s looking at a nice payday next season.
Braylon Staley: SEC Freshman of the Year
Braylon Staley kicked off 2025 as a promising but untested talent. By season’s end, he was named SEC Freshman of the Year with 64 catches, 806 yards, and six touchdowns.
Staley was probably already earning well thanks to his four-star recruit status. Still, now that he’s one of the SEC’s top receivers, his NIL pay should climb even higher.
Wendell Moe: A Transfer Success Story
Wendell Moe came from the transfer portal in 2025 and ended up as an AP All-SEC performer. It’s tricky to guess what Moe made initially, but after proving himself as a top SEC lineman, he’s due for a solid NIL raise in 2026.
Freshmen Making Their Mark
The 2025 season saw a handful of freshmen really step up. Their performances didn’t just help Tennessee—they also set themselves up for bigger NIL deals down the road.
Jesse Perry: Freshman All-America Honors
Offensive lineman Jesse Perry was rated fifth among the five O-linemen Tennessee signed in 2024. Despite that, Perry started 11 games and landed Freshman All-America honors.
His play has definitely bumped up his NIL value. Whether he locks down a starting spot or becomes a key backup, he’s in a better spot financially now.
Ty Redmond: A Promising Young Cornerback
Cornerback Ty Redmond started the 2025 season with a pretty low NIL value. He was rated fourth among five defensive backs in his class but proved himself quickly.
Redmond earned All-SEC third-team and Freshman All-SEC honors. He tied for the SEC lead with 13 passes defended and led the Vols with three picks—numbers that should help his NIL value a lot.
Jordan Ross: A Dynamic Edge Rusher
Edge rusher Jordan Ross came in as a five-star recruit in 2024, so his NIL pay was probably already high. Even so, his play in 2025—despite some injuries—has only helped his case.
Ross put up three tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. He’s set to be a big piece in Jim Knowles’ defense, and his NIL earnings could keep climbing.
The Financial Landscape of NIL Deals
Direct payments from schools have really changed the money game for college athletes. Each team runs under a salary cap of about $13.5 million, which averages out to around $170,000 per scholarship player.
These numbers can move around a lot between schools, and third-party NIL deals can give players a serious boost. Payroll info isn’t public, but it’s safe to assume pay lines up with a player’s projected impact.
The Role of Third-Party NIL Deals
Beyond what schools pay, players can earn from third-party NIL deals—think collectives, companies, and local business owners. For the best players, these deals can sometimes double what they make.
So, NIL negotiations aren’t just a side note anymore. They’re a real part of each player’s financial plan.
Impact on Player Decisions
NIL talks have become just part of the rhythm of college football. They play into decisions about transferring or heading to the NFL.
Players who outperform expectations are looking for raises, while some might test the transfer portal when it opens January 2, 2026. These negotiations are shaping the sport’s future, for better or worse.
Conclusion
The 2025 season really changed things for a bunch of Tennessee football players. Some of them put on performances that made their NIL value skyrocket.
NIL negotiations are now a huge part of college football. Players like DeSean Bishop and Braylon Staley seem ready to make the most of it.
If you want to dig deeper, check out the full article on Knox News.
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