List of highest-paid college athletes in 2025: Find out who ranks top
The highest-paid college athletes include Arch Manning, Cooper Flagg, and AJ Dybantsa. These players profit from their names, images and likeness (NIL), a move the NCAA legalised in 2021 for the first time in amateur sport.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Highest-paid college athletes
- 1. Arch Manning - $6.5 million
- 2. Travis Hunter - $5.7 million
- 3. Cooper Flagg - $4.8 million
- 4. Carson Beck - $4.3 million
- 5. Livvy Dunne - $4.1 million
- 6. Jeremiah Smith - $4 million
- 7. AJ Dybantsa - $3.8 million
- 8. DJ Lagway - $3.8 million
- 9. LaNorris Sellers - $3.7 million
- 10. Garrett Nussmier - $3.6 million
- Final word
Key takeaways
- Arch Manning is the highest-paid college athlete with an NIL valuation of $6.5 million.
- Livvy Dunne is the most followed college athlete on social media, with a combined following of over 13 million.
- Copper Flagg is projected to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
- Jeremiah Smith won the College Football Playoff (CFP) national championship in his first year at Ohio State University.
- AJ Dybantsa is the highest-ranked committed recruit to join the Brigham Young University basketball program in history.
Highest-paid college athletes
| Player | School | Sport/position | NIL valuation |
| Arch Manning | University of Texas | American football/Quarterbacks | $6.5 million |
| Travis Hunter | University of Colorado Boulder | American football/Cornerback and wide receiver | $5.7 million |
| Cooper Flagg | Duke University | Shooting guard/basketball | $4.8 million |
| Carson Beck | University of Miami | American football-Quarterback | $4.3 million |
| Livvy Dunne | Louisiana State University | Artistic gymnastics | $4.1 million |
| Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State University | Wide receiver/American football | $4 million |
| AJ Dybantsa | Brigham Young University | Small forward/basketball | $3.8 million |
| DJ Lagway | University of Florida | Quarterback/American football | $3.8 million |
| LaNorris Sellers | University of South Carolina | Quarterback/American football | $3.7 million |
| Garrett Nussmier | Louisiana State University | Quarterback/American football | $3.6 million |
This list of highest-paid college athletes was compiled after analysing multiple factors, such as NIL valuations, brand sponsorship deals and marketability. We relied on Sports Illustrated and Business Insider Africa to provide the most accurate information. So, who is the highest-paid collegiate athlete?
1. Arch Manning - $6.5 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Archibald Charles Manning
- College: University of Texas
- Sport: American football
- Position: Quarterbacks
- Date of birth: April 27, 2004
Arch Manning is the highest-paid NCAA athlete with a NIL valuation of $6.5 million. He is the Texas Longhorns starting quarterback for the University of Texas with a roster value of $2.1 million.
Manning comes from a footballing family that has produced some of the greatest names in the sport - Eli, Archie and Peyton Manning. This raised his marketability, earning him sponsorship deals with EA Sports, Uber, Panini America and Red Bull.
2. Travis Hunter - $5.7 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Travis Hunter Jr.
- College: University of Colorado Boulder
- Sports: American football
- Position: Cornerback and wide receiver
- Date of birth: May 18, 2003
How much does Travis Hunter make? Hunter makes $3 million in NIL deals, including several brand endorsements, such as Celsius, United Airlines, Adidas, and Panini America.
Hunter has multiple awards, including the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Award, AP College Football Player of the Year, Lott Trophy and Fred Biletnikoff Award.
3. Cooper Flagg - $4.8 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Cooper Flagg
- College: Duke University
- Sport: Basketball
- Position: Shooting guard
- Date of birth: December 21, 2006
Cooper Flagg is a shining star at Duke University. In 2025, he won numerous awards, including the ACC All-Freshman Team, ACC All-Defensive Team, ACC Rookie of the Year, NABC Freshman of the Year and the National College Player of the Year.
His popularity earned him sponsorships with brands including Gatorade, New Balance, Fanatics and AT&T. The Duke shooting guard is expected to be the first overall NBA draft pick in 2025.
4. Carson Beck - $4.3 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Carson Raine Beck
- College: University of Miami
- Sport: American football
- Position: Quarterback
- Date of birth: November 19, 2002
Carson Beck is among the highest-earning college athletes. His NIL valuation is $4.3 million, including deals with Chipotle, Powerade, EA Sports, Leaf Trading Cards and Airstar Charter.
Beck began his college career at the University of Georgia before moving to the University of Miami, signing him on a deal worth more than $4 million. On the field, he finished the 2024 season with 3,485 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 71 yards.
5. Livvy Dunne - $4.1 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Olivia Paige Dunne
- College: Louisiana State University
- Sport: Gymnastics
- Position: Artistic gymnastics
- Date of birth: October 1, 2002
Dunne enjoys a massive social media following that has attracted sponsorship deals with brands such as Too Faced Cosmetics, GrubHub and Nautica. These deals have given her a NIL valuation of $4.1 million. In 2024, she led the LSU Tigers to their first national championships in the school’s history.
6. Jeremiah Smith - $4 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Jeremiah Smith
- College: Ohio State University
- Sport: American football
- Position: Wide receiver
- Date of birth: November 29, 2005
Smith won the College Football Playoff (CFP) national championship in his first season with the Buckeyes, winning several awards. He was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Receiver of the Year, and got into the First-Team All-Big and Freshman All-American. The wide receiver has a roster valuation of $3.2 million and an NIL valuation of $4 million.
7. AJ Dybantsa - $3.8 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Anicet “AJ” Dybantsa Jr.
- College: Brigham Young University
- Sport: Basketball
- Position: Small forward
- Date of birth: January 29, 2007
In 2025, AJ Dybantsa committed to Brigham Young University and became the highest-ranked committed recruit to join the school’s program in history. Several colleges were under his radar, including Auburn University, the University of Alabama, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Washington.
Internationally, he won the FIBA U17 World Cup and the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championships with the United States. Due to his fast-growing profile, Dybantsa enjoys deals with multiple brands, including Red Bull and Nike.
8. DJ Lagway - $3.8 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Derek "DJ" Lagway
- College: University of Florida
- Sports: American football
- Position: Quarterback
- Date of birth: August 13, 2005
DJ Lagway has a roster valuation of $3.4 million and an NIL valuation of $3.8 million. During his high school career, he recorded 58 touchdown passes and 975 rushing. Additionally, Lagway won the 2023 Gatorade Footballer Player of the Year, Mr. Texas Football and USA Today Offensive Player of the Year.
9. LaNorris Sellers - $3.7 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: LaNorris Sellers
- College: University of South Carolina
- Sports: American football
- Position: Quarterback
- Date of birth: June 23, 2005
Sellers have a roster valuation of $3.5 million and an NIL valuation of $3.7 million. In his first year at South Carolina, he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year, FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year and got into the Third-team All-SEC, SEC Freshman Team, and FWAA Freshman All-America Team.
10. Garrett Nussmier - $3.6 million
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Garrett Nussmier
- College: Louisiana State University
- Sports: American football
- Position: Quarterback
- Date of birth: February 7, 2002
In 2024, Garrett Nussmier made 337 complete passes, 4052 yards, and 29 touchdowns and was the Most Valuable Player of the 2024 Texas Bowl. Additionally, he was the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl MVP and 2023 Citrus Bowl MVP. Nussmier has a roster value of $3.3 million and an NIL valuation of $3.6 million.
Final word
These are the highest-paid college athletes in 2025. They earn through lucrative NIL deals, which allow college athletes to profit from their fame. Before 2021, college athletes were not allowed to make money.
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