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NFL Rookie Quarterback Strikes Lucrative Deal After Missing Out on NIL Payday

College football has reached a bizarre state of the sport where, for quarterbacks in particular, the NFL offers less of a payout than staying in school if they don’t get selected in the first round. This offseason, star quarterbacks Darian Mensah and Carson Beck reportedly received around $3–4 million to transfer to the Duke Blue […]

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College football has reached a bizarre state of the sport where, for quarterbacks in particular, the NFL offers less of a payout than staying in school if they don’t get selected in the first round.

This offseason, star quarterbacks Darian Mensah and Carson Beck reportedly received around $3–4 million to transfer to the Duke Blue Devils and Miami Hurricanes, respectively.

The Hurricanes were considered a prime landing spot for former Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers, and he was said to have turned down a $4 million deal when he elected to enter the NFL draft.

Criticism of that decision skyrocketed when Ewers fell to the seventh round, where he was eventually selected No. 231 overall by the Miami Dolphins.

It seems Ewers has found a way to compensate for those lost earnings in an endorsement deal, though.

On Friday, Ewers announced that he signed an exclusive autograph trading card deal with Panini, which Mike Florio of NBC Sports reports is worth $3 million.

That bottom line all but adds up to Ewers’ four-year contract with Miami, one that will pay out a total of $4.3 million over four years.

Ewers’ Year 1 salary with Miami is $84,000, with an additional prorated amount of $32,894 from his $131,576 signing bonus—ultimately not too bad for a seventh-round pick.

When Ewers continued to slide through Day 3 of the NFL draft, the consensus seemed to believe he greatly erred by not sticking in college.

In the absence of his deal with Panini, his earnings certainly took a massive hit.

However, critics seemed to forget about the viability of endorsement deals, as the power of name, image, and likeness doesn’t dissipate when a player leaves college for the NFL.

Ewers may have garnered additional partnerships on top of his reported $4 million had he gone to the Hurricanes. He also may have taken a poor snap that ended his NFL hopes entirely.

That $4 million would be enough on its own of career earnings that few outside of college athletes will ever come close to at 22 years old.

Ewers is in the NFL, the real dream for most, and he’s almost made back what he lost by deciding to do so.



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Mizzou spent $31M on NIL in past year, including $10M last month

Part of the reason the unregulated, Wild West era of NIL in college athletics had to go, we were told, was because that system was unsustainable. It seemed to be sustaining just fine at Missouri though. Via the Freedom of Information Act, the Columbia Missourian uncovered a treasure trove of documents related to Missouri’s NIL program, […]

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Part of the reason the unregulated, Wild West era of NIL in college athletics had to go, we were told, was because that system was unsustainable. It seemed to be sustaining just fine at Missouri though.

Via the Freedom of Information Act, the Columbia Missourian uncovered a treasure trove of documents related to Missouri’s NIL program, giving perhaps the most unvarnished look at how college athletes were paid in the NIL era. Those documents were available because Missouri paid its athletes straight from the athletics department to the Tigers’ collective — Every True Tiger Brands, LLC — and the newspaper got ahold of invoices ETT sent to the university.

The headline figure was that Missouri spent $31.7 million on NIL within the past year — the vast majority going to football — but even that hardly tells the true story. In fact, Mizzou spent just shy of $25 million from January 2025 to June, including a whopping $10.279 million in June alone. This practice came to be known as “front-loading,” as Mizzou offloaded payments that likely would be denied by the new Deloitte-run NIL Go clearinghouse (whose legality has yet to be challenged). Mizzou also spent $4.647 million in January, a period that coincided with the football transfer portal, and $3.592 million in May, a period that coincided with the basketball portal.

To the original point above, the Missourian uncovered invoices dating back to September 2023, and the numbers generally rose over time, even before the House settlement and its consequences became a reality. 

Broken into roughly 7-month periods, here’s how the money rose over time:

September 2023-April 2024: $794,171 average (High: $881K | Low: $662K)
May 2024-November 2024: $1.64 million average (High: $1.872M | Low: $902K)
December 2024-June 2025: $3.738 million average (High: $10.279M | Low: $1.211M)

Even removing the outlier of June 2025, Mizzou was still spending an average of $2.5 million per month on NIL during the last six months of the “unregulated” system.

As for how that money was spent, the Missourian found ETT paid nearly two-thirds of every dollar it was supplied on football ($8 million of the $12.4 million in total), with men’s basketball getting 23.5 percent, baseball just below 4 percent, women’s basketball just below 3 percent ($348,100 in real dollars) and on down to the tennis team, which received $100,000. 

Like all SEC schools, Missouri will spend the full $20.5 million “salary cap” as allowed under the House settlement, with $18 million coming in actual dollars and $2.5 million in new scholarships counting toward the cap. Most observers anticipate football eating up 75 percent of the cap, but Georgia announced in February it will spend roughly 66 percent of its $20.5 million on football, in line with how Missouri distributed its NIL money. 

The fight for the money football and men’s basketball does not consume will be real and vicious. At Mizzou, that likely manifests between baseball, women’s basketball and the rest of the Olympic sports. The Tigers endured a historically bad season on the diamond, complete with a last-place 3-27 record in conference play. Afterward, AD Laird Veatch, in announcing that he would not fire head coach Kerrick Jackson, said a “lack of support” explained the club’s performance.

“We have not invested at the level that we need to really be competitive in this league, and that sport in particular, it’s an incredibly competitive sport,” Veatch said. That support will likely come at the expense of Missouri’s other sports — but not football or men’s basketball. 

To make up the gap, Mizzou — like every other school — will increase its efforts to generate outside sponsorships for its athletes. 

“We’re going to need our businesses, our sponsors to really embrace that as part of the new era,” Veatch said. “It’s going to be on us as athletic departments (and) Learfield as our partner to continue to integrate those types of opportunities in meaningful ways for sponsors.”

As the numbers proved, the money to pay athletes simply for being Missouri Tigers was there. Will Mizzou find a way to get that money to its athletes in our new, guardrail-ed era? 



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Duke hires Corey Muscara as baseball coach following Chris Pollard’s departure for Virginia

Associated Press DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke has hired Corey Muscara as its baseball coach. The school announced the move Thursday, a little more than a week after Chris Pollard left following 13 seasons to take over at Virginia. The Blue Devils reached four NCAA super regionals and won two Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament titles […]

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Associated Press

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke has hired Corey Muscara as its baseball coach.

The school announced the move Thursday, a little more than a week after Chris Pollard left following 13 seasons to take over at Virginia. The Blue Devils reached four NCAA super regionals and won two Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament titles under Pollard.

Muscara had spent the past four seasons as an assistant at Wake Forest, which included the Demon Deacons’ trip to the College World Series in 2023. He worked with the pitching staff.

His previous coaching stops included Maryland and St. John’s.

___

AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports



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College Quarterback Reveals Why He Rejected $8 Million NIL Deal

College Quarterback Reveals Why He Rejected $8 Million NIL Deal originally appeared on The Spun. Money isn’t everything for at least one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks. Following an impressive freshman season at South Carolina, Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers reportedly received several multi-million dollar NIL offers to enter the transfer portal — including a two-year, […]

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College Quarterback Reveals Why He Rejected $8 Million NIL Deal originally appeared on The Spun.

Money isn’t everything for at least one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks.

Following an impressive freshman season at South Carolina, Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers reportedly received several multi-million dollar NIL offers to enter the transfer portal — including a two-year, $8 million contract. However, he turned it down.

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In a conversation with The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Sellers’ dad Norris revealed the lengths schools were willing to go to in an effort to poach his son out of Columbia. But he and his son wanted to keep the main thing the main thing.

“He was offered all kinds of crazy numbers,” Norris said. “I told him he could say, I’m gonna stay or I’m gonna go. By my two cents: It was to get into college on a scholarship, play ball, get our degree and go on about our business. This NIL deal came later. We didn’t come here to make money. We came here to get our education, play ball, and with schools calling, we’re not gonna jump ship because they’re offering more than what we’re getting. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Sellers threw for 2,534 yards with 25 total touchdowns and another 674 rushing yards on the ground in his first season as a full-time starter on the way to SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

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But as hard as it is for someone so young to turn down that kind of money, Sellers’ father says LaNorris never really entertained leaving SC.

Oct 19, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) warms up before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Oct 19, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) warms up before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

“You’re 19,” he told his son. “You don’t need [$8 million]. You’re in a great spot. There were several talks, but it never really crossed his mind [to leave]. It’s a challenge with colleges offering younger guys that kind of money. Who’s gonna say no to $8 million for two years? They’re gonna be swayed if you don’t have the right people in your corner.”

Some have Sellers projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with how high expectations are for him in Year 2. And this kind of mindset could serve him well in the future when it comes to finding the right fit in the pros.

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Related: WNBA Player Levels Caitlin Clark With Blatant Cheap Shot

College Quarterback Reveals Why He Rejected $8 Million NIL Deal first appeared on The Spun on Jun 18, 2025

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.



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‘Do They Truly Believe The Words?’ – CFB Analyst Slams College Sports Leaders’ Bold NIL Revenue Share Claims

The House vs NCAA settlement is sending shockwaves across college sports and one of its biggest conclusions was that athletes get a share of the University’s revenue. But one prominent voice in the industry isn’t buying the spin from college leaders that, from now on, revenue-sharing arrangements will be the new way. In his latest […]

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The House vs NCAA settlement is sending shockwaves across college sports and one of its biggest conclusions was that athletes get a share of the University’s revenue. But one prominent voice in the industry isn’t buying the spin from college leaders that, from now on, revenue-sharing arrangements will be the new way.

In his latest Mailbag for The Athletic, college football analyst Stewart Mandel isn’t buying the idea that the NCAA and the newly minted College Sports Commission from the historic settlement could successfully implement a process limiting how much schools and athletes can spend or earn, all while staying on the right side of federal law.

“Do they truly believe the words coming out of their mouths?” Mandel wrote. “Pro athletes’ salaries only ever go up and up and up. College coaches’ salaries only ever go up and up and up. But we are to believe that the new College Sports Commission has devised a foolproof system to decrease college athletes’ compensation that is — how do you say it — legal?”

Mandel further explained his viewpoint, citing the attempts to cap college athletes’ compensation constitute illegal restraints of trade.

“Over the last dozen years, judges from across the political spectrum, including the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, have found it to be an illegal restraint of trade for the NCAA’s membership to enforce policies that restrict athletes’ earnings,” Mandel added.

The House settlement levies a cap on how much a institution can spend ($20.5 million) to pay athletes along with a limit on third party NIL deals as well.

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Stewart Mandel cites Texas Tech’s current NIL situation to further his point on NIL deals

Stewart Mandel cited the example of Texas Tech and how are they going to get under the cap of $20.5 million after already committing to $55 million NIL deals for the upcoming school year. Mandel is not just brewing up random numbers. He confirmed the same through mega-booster Cody Campbell, telling his colleague Sam Khan.

Only two things can happen from here, as Mandel said:

“Either their payroll is going down by more than 60 percent a year from now, or, as I strongly suspect, a judge will have long since issued an injunction that ties the enforcers’ hands.”

It remains to be seen what further comes out of the situation as voices like Mandel are making sure no one buys into what he calls “a foolproof system” without asking.

College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!



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French league President accuses the NCAA of ‘looting’ talent with massive NIL deals

NIL deals are running rampant in the world of college sports. As it turns out, the interest is expanding overseas as universities target international players to come to their schools and play for their respective teams. Duke’s Dame Sarr and North Carolina’s Luka Bogavac are a couple of notable international players who are heading to […]

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NIL deals are running rampant in the world of college sports.

As it turns out, the interest is expanding overseas as universities target international players to come to their schools and play for their respective teams.

Duke’s Dame Sarr and North Carolina’s Luka Bogavac are a couple of notable international players who are heading to the mainland to play at some of the top programs in college basketball.

As a result, Philippe Ausseur, the President of France’s National Basketball League, is not happy with universities making a run at international stars, per French reporter Yann Ohnana.

“Given the number of players approached, about fifteen of whom have signed up, we can call it looting. The colleges are casting their net wide, even in Pro B, and are dispossessing us of a certain number of our key players without us being able to react,” Ausseur said.

He also mentioned that the league has been aware of this trend, but the biggest shock was the massive amount in the reported deals.

“What took us by surprise were the amounts. We were expecting big contracts worth $350,000, but it’s $2 million…We were expecting half a dozen players to be approached, but it’s more than triple that…We’ve heard of agents trying to get clubs to sign certificates to demonstrate that their players are still amateurs. The situation remains unclear,” Ausseur said.

Ilias Kamardine is one French hoops star who decided to go and play for Ole Miss despite being a star in France.

With NIL expanding every year, it will become more and more difficult for other leagues to keep their players, especially with the cash flow they can receive and the exposure of playing at the college level.





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Congressman Michael Baumgartner on Middle East, Spokane protests, and NIL legislation

SPOKANE, WASH- Congressman Michael Baumgartner sat down for a lengthy conversation on current events, his new legislation, and Spokane protests, a major focal point was the Middle East. Congressman Baumgartner started the conversation about college athletics with support for Washington State University’s new president. He is the Chair of the Congressional College Sports Caucus, and […]

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Congressman Michael Baumgartner on Middle East, Spokane protests, and NIL legislation

SPOKANE, WASH- Congressman Michael Baumgartner sat down for a lengthy conversation on current events, his new legislation, and Spokane protests, a major focal point was the Middle East.

Congressman Baumgartner started the conversation about college athletics with support for Washington State University’s new president.

He is the Chair of the Congressional College Sports Caucus, and has frustration on the final settlement agreement that has been reached in the House v. NCAA litigation. 

He’s worried about WSU, EWU and GU and how NIL will not only impact the schools but how the tourism economy around college sports will be affected locally.



The congressman who has major experience in the region is steadfast in his support of Israel, adding that they have been a good ally to the U.S. and was at the White House when the first rockets were launched. 

He feels the Presidents “bold leadership,” is the right display and he has been impressed with the president’s leadership.

In response to the potential use of bunker bombs he says the best outcome would be a negotiation ending with a Iran giving up their nuclear weapons and allowing inspections.



On the typic of Gaza, and to the people who feel Israel is a “bad actor,” the congressman said we need to be driven by America’s interest, and that’s supporting a reliable ally in the Middle East which is Israel. 



The congressman felt it was “unfortunate that people were trying to block ICE,” and pointed out that the state of Washington is a sanctuary state which she feels makes the state unsafe.

He was supportive of the police response.

In direct response to Ben Stuckert the congressman felt blocking a federal officials bus was wrong, in follow up he explained his office was working with the two individuals who were taken into custody on their case.

Stuckert told KHQ that his goal was not to get arrested, but the congressman had heard that was not the case.

We have reached out to Stuckert for his response.



The Congressman called a domestic terrorism and said it should be denounced.



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