Thanks to the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, college football stars are finally cashing in, and some are making serious money.
On the Next Up Podcast with Adam Breneman, Dan Furman, head of Louisville’s official NIL collective, gave a rare peek behind the curtain. He broke down how much money players are actually bagging, and it depends on a lot of factors, not just the positions they play in.
Not every athlete is signing six-figure deals, but quarterbacks? They’re at the top of the food chain. Meanwhile, RBs and special teams guys? Not quite as lucky. The numbers aren’t uniform, and some of them might surprise you.
From flashy playmakers to the workhorses in the trenches, here’s what Furman revealed about what different college football positions are really making under the new NIL era.
Average NIL Earnings by Player Position
When it comes to NIL payouts in college football, quarterbacks are still king. According to Dan Furman, “Think if you’re looking at quarterbacks here, like the guys who are starting… you’re looking at a couple million dollars.”
These defined starters often headline recruiting classes and lead their teams, so it’s no surprise they bring in the biggest deals.
Surprisingly, offensive linemen aren’t too far behind. “The offensive line has skyrocketed like crazy,” Furman noted. “And what if your school’s going to go really heavy, you could be looking at half a million dollars plus on some of those guys.”
Receivers, too, are close to the QBs, with elite talent raking in seven figures. “Receivers, the high-end guys… there’s a ton of capacity for guys to make over seven figures,” Furman said. But it’s not all million-dollar contracts. “There are those guys who are role players and depth guys making six below six figures… and then there’s guys who are developmental guys that are making, below $100,000.”
Still, schools try to manage this carefully, keeping top earners in check to maintain roster balance and support more players across the board.
Furman Categorises NIL Earners Into 4 Buckets
Dan Furman broke it down even further, dividing players into four distinct buckets. “I always try to look at it kind of, in four categories. You have your starters, your key backups, depth guys, and developmental guys. You got your four buckets.” Each group sees different NIL payouts depending on their role and value to the team.
“Those guys who are starters are making legit six-figure money,” Furman said, confirming what many already believe: the top performers are bringing in real income. Right behind them are the key backups.
“You’ve got your key backups who also are probably making right around six figures, if not a little bit over $100,000.” These players may not start every game, but they’re important enough to earn a solid payday.
Then there are depth and developmental players. “A lot of schools have taken the approach where they’re going to pay everybody… like, hey, we’re gonna pay 80 guys,” Furman noted.
But that’s not true everywhere. In some programs, these players may see little or no NIL income.
As the NIL landscape evolves, so will how schools manage pay equity across rosters. But one thing’s clear: your position and role matter more than ever.
Also Read: HC Jeff Monken Dives Into the Sad Truth About NIL and the Army