Ranking the top eight Big Ten football NIL Valuations for 2025
Being able to compensate college athletes over the last few years has changed the landscape of college sports, most notably the revenue behemoth that is college football. Name, Image and Likeness has helped usher in a new era of bidding wars and recruiting efforts that didn't exist just less than a decade ago. And now, with the House Settlement, things will change even more.
Especially at a place like Ohio State that has a huge athletic department and a massive budget.
But NIL is still in practice, and there are still athletes getting paid for the usage of their name, so it's a big deal. We always hear about the astronomical figures the top-end stars are pulling in, but there are smaller ones as well. However, the multi-million dollar contracts aren't as prevalent as one would think. In fact, we're ranking the top Big Ten NIL valuations, and there are fewer than ten that make the list worth mentioning.
Here's a list of the top eight NIL valuations according to On3 in the Big Ten, ranked from least to most expensive. You may be surprised by what and who is on this list., and of course, the bigger programs with the most money like Ohio State appear on this list more than some that do not at all.
No. 8 - Evan Stewart, Wide Receiver | Oregon Ducks
National Rank - No. 25
Stewart had a great year last season, but played second fiddle to Tez Johnson in star power. This year, it should be him as the No. 1 threat and player personality many will follow.
No. 7 - Nick Singleton, Running Back | Penn State Nittany Lions
National Rank - No. 21
Singleton is entering his senior year and is part of a running back tandem that should be very dangerous this season. He's a star running back for Penn State, and that alone garners attention and a pretty significant NIL package.
No. 6 - Nico Iamaleava, Quarterback | UCLA Bruins
National Rank - No. 19
Nico is well-known after having a fantastic season last year with Tennessee. He is one of the most recognizable quarterbacks with all the potential he possesses with his dual-threat ability, and now he'll be doing his work out in Westwood for UCLA.
No. 5 - Dylan Raiola, Quarterback | Nebraska Cornhuskers
National Rank - No. 17
Raiola's commitment was highly publicized. He first committed to Ohio State, then Georgia, before finally landing at Nebraska, where he had family ties. He had a very impressive, though a bit inconsistent freshman campaign and should be poised for a continuation and further breakout in 2025.
No. 4 - Caleb Downs, Safety | Ohio State Buckeyes
National Rank - No. 15
Downs came to Ohio State via the transfer portal after becoming a freshman All-American at Alabama. He had a stellar sophomore campaign in Columbus and is a fan favorite. He might be the best defender in all of college football, playing for arguably the most-followed college football program. That all translates to a massive NIL package.
No. 3 - Bryce Underwood, Quarterback | Michigan Wolverines
National Rank - No. 10
There is a ton of hype for the No. 1 quarterback coming out of high school, and Michigan is hoping he makes good on all of it. There was a lot of buzz surrounding his recruitment, and he has many folks following what he might do at the college level, even though he has yet to do anything in Ann Arbor.
No. 2 - Drew Allar, Quarterback | Penn State Nittany Lions
National Rank - No. 8
Allar was a five-star quarterback coming out of Ohio before committing to play for Penn State. Though he has yet to win the biggest of games, he has a big arm and is the face of the Nittany Lions' chances at not only making the College Football Playoff, but going on a run to a national championship.
No. 1 - Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver | Ohio State Buckeyes
National Rank - No. 3
Everyone knows Smith. He was an absolute star who flashed on the scene for Ohio State as a freshman after being ranked as the top overall recruit in the 2024 class. He more than made good on all that buzz and is arguably the best player in college football returning for two more seasons, still in Columbus. He is adored in Central Ohio and feared across the rest of the country.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
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