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How Learfield's new deal with Washington is helping the Huskies create more opportunities

As I reported earlier Tuesday, Washington is set to announce a new 12-year MMR deal with Learfield. “It’s a reset in terms of their commitment to us and our commitment to them, and that we believe there’s tremendous upside,” Washington AD Pat Chun told SBJ. That Washington is reupping with a company it has worked […]

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How Learfield's new deal with Washington is helping the Huskies create more opportunities

As I reported earlier Tuesday, Washington is set to announce a new 12-year MMR deal with Learfield.

“It’s a reset in terms of their commitment to us and our commitment to them, and that we believe there’s tremendous upside,” Washington AD Pat Chun told SBJ.

That Washington is reupping with a company it has worked with since 2006 isn’t a colossal surprise, but the relationship broadly speaks to work the school has done internally as part of a shift in priorities amid a changing landscape in college athletics.

Chun was hired in March 2024 following Troy Dannen’s short spell in Seattle. Upon arrival, Chun wanted to take a take a cohesive look at how the school handled its multimedia rights before deciding on a partner (Learfield’s existing deal expires June 30).

Learfield highlighted its links with high-exposure brands through varying national campaigns as part of its pitch. That largely fell in line with what Washington has striven to do during Chun’s brief tenure in creating more business opportunities for the Huskies.

For example, UW announced in October the creation of “Dawgs Unleashed,” an NIL arm designed to integrate with its multimedia rights partner in securing marketing and brand deals for athletes and capitalize on business opportunities in Seattle.

“Part of the tactic was now you throw Learfield’s arsenal on top of that (Dawgs Unleashed) and then that allows us this two-pronged approach where we will work together to try to accumulate a portfolio of opportunities for current and future student athlete endorsements,” Chun said.

The rationale and need for “true” NIL deals comes ahead of the expected approval of the House settlement, which would create a clearinghouse designed to vet NIL deals to ensure they are “fair market value” and not simply pay-for-play payments being passed off as otherwise in an effort to circumvent the $20.5 million revenue sharing cap to which schools would be beholden.

“We spent a lot of time on building out our own separate business arm, Dawgs Unleashed, to really maximize NIL opportunities for our student athletes,” Chun said. “And that was probably one of the big pieces of when we evaluated all the offers. … We believe that at Washington the opportunities that we’re going to be able to create real NIL [deals] for our student athletes is going to be a differentiator for recruiting.”

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Top expert’s source leans toward Michigan for 5-star Calvin Russell

Man, this recruitment is nuts. The back and forth, the analyst buzz, the speculation, the prognostications. It’s all over the place. On Saturday night, though, we’ll have a little clarity. At least for now. Calvin Russell lll, a long-time Syracuse football priority target, is expected to announce his college decision around 9 pm. That being […]

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Man, this recruitment is nuts. The back and forth, the analyst buzz, the speculation, the prognostications. It’s all over the place.

On Saturday night, though, we’ll have a little clarity. At least for now. Calvin Russell lll, a long-time Syracuse football priority target, is expected to announce his college decision around 9 pm.

That being said, even if the Orange’s name isn’t called on Saturday evening, amid Russell’s birthday party, I’d wager that head coach Fran Brown and his top-flight staff will continue to pursue the elite 2026 five-star wide receiver and top-25 national prospect.

Russell, per a graphic for his birthday party and commitment announcement, has whittled down his list to Syracuse football, Oregon, Florida State and Michigan. I’ve been told that at this juncture, his recruitment likely boils down to the Orange and the Wolverines.

The latest piece from top expert Steve Wiltfong, who is vice president of national college football recruiting and the transfer portal at On3/Rivals, reads: “Source: ‘My gut says Michigan’ for five-star target.”

Take it for what it’s worth, my friends.

Syracuse football will know where it stands with 5-star WR Calvin Russell lll.

When I wrote this article, I didn’t see any analyst predictions for Russell on 247Sports. There’s one projection in Michigan’s direction for him via On3/Rivals, but it’s not from Wiltfong.

Coming off his recent official visit to the Wolverines, before the dead period in college football recruiting hit, Michigan appeared to pick up a lot of steam with Russell, who won a state title as a junior at Northwestern Senior High School, an excellent program that the ‘Cuse staff recruits extremely hard these days.

Russell, who wants to play hoops in college as well, holds a scholarship offer from Syracuse basketball, too. My take is this: Brown has likely forged the strongest relationship with Russell, and basically the entire Orange staff is recruiting him hard.

On the flip side, while I’ve heard that Syracuse’s NIL is competitive for Russell, to think that the Orange could outbid Michigan is unrealistic. Also, while the ‘Cuse was 10-3 a season ago, Michigan plays in the Big Ten Conference, one of the top two leagues for college football along with the Southeastern Conference.

Two terms ago, the Wolverines won a national championship. So one could argue, reasonably, that Russell would be playing on a bigger stage at Michigan than on the Hill.

If I hear any more chatter throughout the day, I’ll share. We’ll, of course, have coverage, too, following Russell’s announcement.



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Paul Finnebaum adds to Ohio State vendetta with bold claim about OSU’s playoff chances in 2025

It’s no secret that popular ESPN college football analyst is not a fan of Ohio State football. And on the Fourth of July, he added a new chapter to his ongoing vendetta. With a bold claim about the defending national champions’ playoff chances. “I don’t like Ohio State,” Finebaum said on a special Fourth of July […]

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It’s no secret that popular ESPN college football analyst is not a fan of Ohio State football. And on the Fourth of July, he added a new chapter to his ongoing vendetta. With a bold claim about the defending national champions’ playoff chances.

“I don’t like Ohio State,” Finebaum said on a special Fourth of July edition of ESPN’s Get Up [h/t On3]. “I think Ohio State is going to lose in the opener against Texas. And they are going to struggle to make the Playoffs, let alone win it all.”

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While it certainly seems like sour grapes from a long-time Buckeyes detractor, especially after winning a national title earlier this year, Ohio State lost a record 14 players in the NFL Draft in April. Including Quinshon Judkins and Josh Simmons. So, coach Ryan Day will have to try to defend the throne with a very different group in 2025.

Also Read:: Highest-paid college football coaches 2025: Kirby Smart, Bill Belichick among top CFB coach salaries

Yet, that wasn’t the only shot Finebaum took at OSU. After being asked about comments from star receiver Ryan Williams on how the loss to Michigan motivated their title run, the long-time ESPN analyst suggested Ohio State’s losing streak to hated rivals the Wolverines may not end in 2025.

“I’m glad to see someone on the Ohio State lineup maybe do something more than just mouthing words,” Finebaum said. “Ryan Day has promised that for every loss to not lose again and he continues to lose again. But they are the defending National Champions, so even clowns like me on the fourth of July are not going to call for a firing of a coach because he loses one game.

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“However, that is a game he has to deal with at some point. But that National Championship will pay a lot of bills and probably, yes, another loss to Michigan.”

The Buckeyes have lost four straight to the Wolverines, dating back to 2021.

Also Read:: Highest paid college football players 2025: Top NIL valuations right now

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Red Raiders’ latest NIL deal may get Razorback fans’ attention

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — If you thought Arkansas would be on a level playing field with the new revenur-sharing deal Texas Tech will probably bring you back to reality. The only good part of that news for Razorback fans is Texas Longhorn faithful are jumping up and down like a shortstop that just won the World […]

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — If you thought Arkansas would be on a level playing field with the new revenur-sharing deal Texas Tech will probably bring you back to reality.

The only good part of that news for Razorback fans is Texas Longhorn faithful are jumping up and down like a shortstop that just won the World Series.

The news broke just after noon on Friday that Felix Ojo, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound offensive tackle out of Mansfield, Texas, announced his commitment to Texas Tech.

It wasn’t just the school choice that sent shockwaves through the college football world, it was the contract that came with it.

A lot of people thought all that was coming to an end with the settlement. Apparently these NIL Collectives are still going strong and just got lawyers to tell them how to do it.

Now the question around here is can the Razorbacks continuing to build a collective to compete? The hope was this clearing-house idea was going to slow all this down, but the deal Texas Tech has guaranteed an offensive lineman shows it apparently isn’t going anywhere.

Ojo, ranked No. 20 in the 2026 ESPN 300 and widely considered one of the best linemen in the nation, ESPN reported he signed a fully guaranteed three-year, $5.1 million revenue-share deal with the Red Raiders, according to his agent Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management.

With Ojo’s contract, a new weapon has entered the fray with direct, multimillion-dollar compensation for teenagers still years away from draft eligibility.

“Football is a brutal sport, and athletes are not able to play professionally until their graduating class has been in college three years,” Shelby told ESPN. “It was important to be able to secure Felix Ojo’s future and give him and his family some security as he continues to develop into a first-round NFL draft pick.”

In the wake of a federal settlement in June, colleges are now able to pay athletes directly. What was once a shadowy world of name, image and likeness (NIL) collectives and third-party sponsors has moved into the open, with contracts that rival rookie NFL deals.

Texas Tech, eager to compete with college football’s blue bloods, has wasted no time leveraging this new system. Just last winter, the Red Raiders spent more than $10 million on 17 transfer players, building one of the nation’s most formidable recruiting classes.

Ojo turned down offers from Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas, all of which, according to recruiting sources, made substantial revenue-share pitches in the final stages of his recruitment.

The money is eye-opening, but so is how it’s structured. Ojo’s contract is fully guaranteed—an important detail in a sport where injuries can derail careers before they begin.

The deal rivals that of Jackson Cantwell, another elite offensive tackle who reportedly signed a contract worth more than $2 million per year with Miami. For top prospects, the market has shifted overnight.

Texas Tech is no stranger to high-stakes NIL maneuvers. Last year, the school’s NIL collective, the Matador Club, made headlines when it helped the softball program land transfer pitcher NiJaree Canady from Stanford with a one-year, $1,050,024 deal.

Canady, also represented by Shelby, parlayed that into another seven-figure contract after leading Tech to its first-ever Women’s College World Series appearance.

Ojo’s arrival is just the latest milestone in a busy summer for Texas Tech recruiting. The Red Raiders have assembled the nation’s second-ranked transfer class and have landed 18 commitments for 2026, including 13 from Texas.

The offensive line haul, with Ojo as its anchor, also features three-star guard Jerald Mays and tackle Jacob Crow.

The $5.1 million figure is already reverberating throughout college football. Rival coaches are adjusting their pitches, boosters are recalibrating their fundraising expectations, and athletes are rethinking what’s possible.

“This is a whole new era,” said Andrew Brandt, former NFL executive and sports business analyst. “We’re going to see more fully guaranteed deals for top recruits, and schools that can’t keep up are going to fall behind quickly.”





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EA’s College Football 26 Release Date, Top Player Ratings, New Features and Preview

One of the biggest issues facing last year’s release was the actual in-game play. Blocking was unrealistic, interceptions and pass defenses, accuracy and timing shortcomings, and defensive pursuit were all frequently mention in reviews of the release as major flaws. According the official website of this year’s release, it is something developers have addressed. “Enhanced […]

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One of the biggest issues facing last year’s release was the actual in-game play. Blocking was unrealistic, interceptions and pass defenses, accuracy and timing shortcomings, and defensive pursuit were all frequently mention in reviews of the release as major flaws.

According the official website of this year’s release, it is something developers have addressed.

“Enhanced AI, dynamic play-calling adjustments, improved blocking and coverages plus new features like Dynamic Substitutions and custom zones give you more control on both sides of the ball, so you can show your opponent what your program is made of.”

The game has also introduced new player types and abilities so that gamers can create the perfect recruit to help lead their team to a College Football Playoff victory amid increased popularity in creation suites.

As part of the Road to Glory feature, they can take their player on the complete journey, from earning their scholarship, through the recruitment period, and onto the roster, where they can continuously track his progression.

The developers also promise a more authentic coaching experience that allows players to compete against and try to outsmart Ryan Day, Marcus Freeman, James Franklin, and other elite college head coaches as part of the game’s Dynasty Mode.

There, players will have access to a trophy room, where they can showcase their accomplishments and help utilize it to encourage those in the transfer portal. They can track player progression, manage and recruit their roster, and set themselves up for a chance at the top prize in the sport.

While intent and execution are two different things, it appears as though EA Games has put in the effort to make the changes and improvements to what plagued fans’ experience with last year’s game.

We will find out starting Monday if those changes were effective or not.

Click here for a deeper dive into the many new gameplay features in this year’s release.



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Rajakovic talks 'shocking' Raptors restructure, shares insights on NIL's global impact

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic discussed NBA-Euroleague relations, NIL’s impact, coaching pressures, and his philanthropic efforts. He emphasized mutual respect between leagues and staying grounded amid basketball’s evolving global landscape. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports – Scanpix The heartbeat of European basketball echoed through Athens once again as the Euroleague Coaches Congress returned […]

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Rajakovic talks 'shocking' Raptors restructure, shares insights on NIL's global impact

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic discussed NBA-Euroleague relations, NIL’s impact, coaching pressures, and his philanthropic efforts. He emphasized mutual respect between leagues and staying grounded amid basketball’s evolving global landscape.


Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports – Scanpix

The heartbeat of European basketball echoed through Athens once again as the Euroleague Coaches Congress returned to Greece for the second consecutive summer.

Free throws this season

Held at the OAKA indoor arena, the high-level basketball seminar brought together some of Europe’s finest coaching minds for four days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Among the elite speakers was Serbian coach Darko Rajakovic , head coach of the Toronto Raptors. Having carved out a notable path in the NBA, Rajakovic returned to the Euroleague event to engage in meaningful discussions about the game’s evolution, coaching philosophies, and the future of basketball both in North America and Europe. During his visit, he was also officially welcomed as a member of the Euroleague Head Coaches Board (EHCB).

Euroleague vs. NBA: Bridging Two Worlds

Rajakovic is one of the rare coaches to have deep roots in both European and American basketball.

While praising the NBA as the most elite league in terms of talent and resources, he believes the Euroleague deserves more respect.

“There’s still a big gap in mutual understanding between the two,” he told Athletiko’s Chirstos Tsaltas and Thanasis Asproulias. “Europe has great players, incredible coaches, and passionate fans. We all have a lot to learn from each other.”

By bringing his assistant coaches with him to the Congress, Rajakovic emphasized the importance of exchanging ideas and perspectives. “If someone in the audience learns even one new detail that enhances their coaching philosophy, it’s worth it.”

The Ujiri Shock and the Raptors’ Rebuild

The off-season saw a major shift for the Raptors with the departure of Masai Ujiri as President of Basketball Operations.

For Rajakovic, it was a jolt. “Masai is an amazing human and leader. He gave me this opportunity. His exit was shocking, but I understand this business. Everything runs in cycles.”

Despite the leadership change, Rajakovic remains optimistic. “We have a great young core, and strong support from ownership and the front office. We’re positioned for success.”

The State of European Basketball: Identity Crisis?

Asked about the increasing pace and game load in Europe, Rajakovic drew a sharp comparison. “Europe seems to be trying to copy the NBA model—faster pace, more games—but that’s not necessarily better.” He expressed concern about Europe’s failure to integrate young talent: “That’s the biggest issue. Young players rarely get chances in a league of veterans.”

He also questioned the sustainability of the basketball “product” in Europe: “A week after Panathinaikos won the Euroleague, they played Maroussi in front of 200 fans. What are we doing here?”

The Coaching Game: No Job Is Safe

Coaching in the NBA means living on the edge. “There are two types of coaches,” Rajakovic quipped. “Those who have been fired and those who will be fired. If you want security, get a job at the post office.”

He emphasized that longevity comes from alignment and patience within an organization. “The most successful franchises maintain continuity and understand their goals.”

Despite working in a league often dominated by media speculation and trade rumors, Rajakovic chooses to block out the noise. “I don’t use social media. I don’t read the news. I focus on what I can control.”

He trusts the Raptors’ front office to handle personnel matters. “They’re professionals. My job is to coach. If and when a trade becomes serious, we discuss it then.”

The NIL Effect: Europe vs. NCAA

The emergence of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rights in the NCAA has opened new doors for young athletes—and new challenges for European basketball. More top prospects are now opting to play college basketball in the U.S., chasing both development and commercial opportunities.

Rajakovic sees this as a game-changer. “Talents are increasingly leaving Europe earlier. It’s reshaping the global basketball market.”

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Who has the highest NIL valuation on every preseason college football Top 25 team?

The 2025 college football season is right around the corner, and there is no shortage of highly-valued stars among the nation’s top teams. Name, Image and Likeness is paving the way for student athletes to build generational wealth before stepping foot on the field as a professional. And staying competitive in that space is critical […]

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The 2025 college football season is right around the corner, and there is no shortage of highly-valued stars among the nation’s top teams.

Name, Image and Likeness is paving the way for student athletes to build generational wealth before stepping foot on the field as a professional. And staying competitive in that space is critical for programs in building the depth for a College Football Playoff run and ultimately a national championship.

Using ESPN’s post-spring Top 25 and On3 NIL valuations, here’s a look at each team’s leading player in NIL ahead of the upcoming season, excluding BYU, which has no available data.

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10)

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) / NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer holds an NIL valuation of $2.7 million.

Mississippi Rebels offensive linemen Diego Pounds (61)

Mississippi Rebels offensive linemen Diego Pounds (61) / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Ole Miss offensive tackle Diego Pounds holds an NIL valuation of $1.1 million.

Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Kevin Concepcion (10)

Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Kevin Concepcion (10) / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Texas A&M wide receiver Kevin Concepcion holds an NIL valuation of $1.2 million.

Louisville quarterback Miller Moss (7)

Louisville quarterback Miller Moss (7) / Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Louisville quarterback Miller Moss holds an NIL valuation of $1.2 million.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15)

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) / Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Miami quarterback Carson Beck holds an NIL valuation of $4.3 million.

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19)

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood holds an NIL valuation of $3 million.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2)

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) / Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway holds an NIL valuation of $3.7 million.

Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2)

Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson holds an NIL valuation of $1.6 million.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15)

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza holds an NIL valuation of $1.4 million

Texas Tech defensive linemen Lee Hunter (2)

Texas Tech defensive linemen Lee Hunter (2) / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter holds an NIL valuation of $1.1 million.

Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7)

Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings holds an NIL valuation of $944,000.

Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3)

Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht holds an NIL valuation of $1.2 million.

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16)

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) / Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers holds an NIL valuation of $3.7 million.

Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10)

Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) / Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt holds an NIL valuation of $3.1 million.

Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9)

Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) / Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer holds an NIL valuation of $1.1 million.

Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake

Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

There is no available data for who leads the Cougars in NIL.

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2)

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) / Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams holds an NIL valuation of $2.7 million.

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7)

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart holds an NIL valuation of $1.7 million.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love holds an NIL valuation of $1.6 million.

LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13)

LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) / Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier holds an NIL valuation of $3.8 million.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4)

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith holds an NIL valuation of $4.2 million.

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1)

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch holds an NIL valuation of $1.1 million.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16)

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Texas quarterback Arch Manning holds an NIL valuation of $6.8 million.

Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney with quarterback Cade Klubnik (2)

Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney with quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik holds an NIL valuation of $3.4 million.

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15)

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar holds an NIL valuation of $3.1 million.



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