NIL
Meet 2026 NFL Draft Prospect Drew Nash, QB, Western Colorado
- Name: Drew Nash
- Position: Quarterback
- College: Western Colorado University
- Height: 6’2
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Twitter: @DrewNash16
- Instagram: @nashdrew11
What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?
What makes me a top prospect is my deep understanding of the game and my relentless commitment to preparation. I pride myself on being a student of the game while constantly being in the film room studying defenses, learning tendencies, and staying ahead of the evolving game. I can make every throw on the field from sideline to sideline and I’m confident in my ability to move within the pocket, avoid pressure, and deliver accurate passes. I believe my combination of football IQ, physical tools, and leadership makes me one of the most complete quarterbacks in this draft class.
What is one thing NFL teams should know about you?
NFL teams should know that I’m the hardest workers in any room I step into. Whether it’s film study, lifting, or working on the field, I attack each day with purpose. I hold myself to the highest standard because I know that as a quarterback and a leader, others are watching and I’m here to be the best I can be not only for me but for my team. My goal is to set the tone for any team I’m part of with my work ethic, attention to detail, and consistent commitment to excellence.
If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?
If I could donate to one cause, it would be the fight against world hunger. Everyone deserves access to basic nutrition, yet millions go without it daily due to poverty and inequality. What stands out to me is that we already produce enough food; we just need to distribute it better. Supporting this cause can break cycles of poverty, improve health, and give children the strength to grow and learn. It’s about creating opportunity through something as simple and essential as a meal.
Who was your role model?
My dad is my biggest role model. He’s always been the provider, protector, and leader in our family, and I admire the way he handles responsibility with humility and strength. He’s taught me countless life lessons about hard work, character, and integrity. If I can become half the man he is, I’ll know I’ve done something right.
Who is your favorite NFL team?
My favorite NFL team is the Los Angeles Rams. Being from the LA area, I have fallen in love with watching the offense of Sean McVay. His offense is based on a wide zone run scheme and does a lot of play action off those runs. Coach McVay also loves to move guys around and use motion to create stacks and bunches to create leverage on their passing concepts, to get free releases for his receivers, and to get the matchups that will help them be successful on that play.
Who is the most underrated teammate on your team?
The most underrated player on our team is Jaydon Young, a redshirt senior defensive end. He’s one of the smartest defenders I’ve played with and understands our system inside and out. Offenses have a real problem when he’s left one-on-one. He’s disruptive, relentless, and sets the tone for our defense. He doesn’t always get the spotlight, but he’s a big reason for our success.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is when people settle for being average. I believe everyone should push themselves to be the best version of who they can be. There’s always room to grow, and complacency holds people back from greatness. Whether it’s in football or in life, I want to surround myself with people who challenge themselves every day and work to their full potential and not for any reason other than for themselves.
Who is your favorite teacher ever?
My favorite teacher is Coach McMahill at Western Colorado University. He teaches coaching and sport psychology and also coaches wrestling. He’s helped me grow as both a future coach and an athlete by teaching me how to lead, communicate, and better understand the mental side of sports. His lessons have had a big impact on how I prepare and how I want to lead my own teams one day.
Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?
The hardest moment in my life came during my freshman year of high school. I was in a police explorer academy when my best friend was tragically killed in a car accident. It shook me deeply and made it incredibly difficult to stay focused and finish the program. But I knew he would’ve wanted me to keep going, so I pushed through, finished at the top of my class, and gave a speech at graduation in his honor. That experience taught me about perseverance, purpose, and honoring those you love through action.
If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house, what would it be?
I’d choose The Cheesecake Factory. They’ve got a huge variety of food, so I wouldn’t be stuck eating the same thing every day. Whether I’m looking for something clean or something to indulge in after a big game, they’ve got options.
What is your favorite snack food?
Chocolate chip cookies are my go-to. Simple, classic, and always hits the spot.
What is your degree in?
I earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Sport Science with an emphasis in Health and Fitness. I also have a minor in Sociology/Criminal Justice and completed a Coaching Certificate. My academic background helps me understand athletic performance from a scientific and social standpoint, which adds value to how I train, lead, and eventually, how I want to coach.
If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with three people, it would be Nick Saban, Tom Brady, and my great-grandpa. I admire Coach Saban’s leadership, discipline, and ability to build championship cultures. Tom Brady represents everything about elite preparation, competitive drive, and mental toughness. I’d love to pick their brains about how they sustained greatness. Lastly, my great-grandpa passed when I was young. What I remember of him was his unconditional love, but I’ve always been told how hard he worked and about the pride he had in family and values. That dinner would mean a lot—it would bring together greatness, legacy, and lessons for both football and life.
What is your biggest weakness?
I would say my biggest weakness is maybe being too driven on the field, especially when I’m focused on performance and/or solving problems. In life, I tend to put other people first but when it comes to football, I can be very task-driven, and that can make me unintentionally overlook how someone else is feeling. But I have become aware of this and have been working on slowing down, listening better and making sure I’m connecting with my teammates on the field. Leadership isn’t just about pushing people-it’s about understanding them too.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com
The 2026 NCAA transfer portal has opened for all college football players seeking different surroundings. The portal opened on Friday and will remain so until Jan. 16.
Over 3,000 college football players have chosen to transfer to new programs for the 2026 season. While the headlines have focused on quarterbacks in the 2026 transfer portal cycle, many important offensive skill players are also on the move across the college football landscape.
The most important of these offensive skill players in the transfer portal is former Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at his second school.
The 6-foot-3, 201-pounder was recruited by Hugh Freeze to Auburn in the Tigers’ 2024 recruiting class. Coleman appeared in 10 games during his freshman season, grabbing 37 receptions for 598 yards and eight touchdowns. He was voted to the SEC All-Freshman Team by his coaches that season.
Coleman saw an increase in production with the Tigers in the 2025 season. He made 56 catches for a team-high 708 yards and five touchdowns. Auburn finished the season 5-7, and Freeze was let go following the Tigers’ home loss to Kentucky.
Auburn hired former USF head coach Alex Golesh as its next head coach in late November. Coleman is one of a bevy of players from Auburn’s 2025 roster who have entered the transfer portal following Golesh’s hiring.
Coleman was a consensus five-star prospect in his initial recruitment to Auburn, ranking as the No. 2 receiver in the class of 2024. As a transfer, Coleman has the No. 1 overall ranking of receivers in the 2026 portal cycle.
While Coleman has been linked to several major programs in college football and will likely receive considerable compensation at his next stop, NIL packages are not among his top priorities in the portal. Pete Nakos of On3 reported that Coleman is visiting a handful of Power Four programs but is not likely to make a decision solely based on monetary value.
“There is confidence in multiple camps that they can offer the best opportunity for Coleman,” Nakos said. “Money is not going to be the deciding factor in this recruitment, even though sources have said his deal could be in the $2 million range.”
Texas A&M was the first of a trio of visits Coleman had set in the portal. He was committed to the Aggies for four months before flipping to Auburn on Early Signing Day in the 2024 recruitment cycle. Additional visits include stops at Texas Tech and USC, a pair of programs looking to stock up on wide receivers after losses in the offseason.
The NCAA transfer portal and the allowance of players to be paid for their name, image, and likeness (NIL) are undoubtedly the biggest driving forces behind the changes in college football.
The era of players waiting their turn at one school to play, or certain programs building dynasties off of being the best at paying players under the table, is no more. Now, programs that can get donors to scrounge together the most cash are in prime position to contend, which has led to new-age powerhouses like Indiana, Texas Tech and Ole Miss emerging.
With the NCAA transfer portal opening on Jan. 2, there have already been over 4,000 entries, but not every player will be getting the big bucks. The caliber at the top of the portal is as high as we have ever seen it, and some of college football’s most valuable players have found, or are in the process of looking for a new landing spot.
That said, let’s take a look at the players in the NCAA transfer portal with some of the highest NIL valuations, according to On3.
Byrum Brown (Auburn via USF)
To the surprise of no one, Byrum Brown followed his head coach, Alex Golesh, to Auburn. The 6-foot-3 dual-threat quarterback threw for 3,158 yards with 28 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,008 yards and 14 more scores en route to leading the Bulls to a 9-3 regular season record.
NIL Valuation: $1.6 million
Beau Pribula (Missouri), Cam Coleman (Auburn), Cutter Boley (ASU via Kentucky)
The Missouri Tigers lost their star quarterback, who led them to a 6-1 start to the season, in what was really his first chance to start. Unfortunately an injury derailed his season and their momentum, but Pribula is still viewed as a high-end starter in college football.
As for Cam Coleman, the now-former Auburn wide receiver is due for a massive payday. Some reports have revealed he could earn as much as $2 million. He is ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the transfer portal, and very well could move up this list.
A Kentucky native, Boley impressed as the starting quarterback for the Kentucky Wildcats this season. He replaced Zach Calzada as the starter after two games, throwing for 2,160 yards with 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while completing 65.8% of his passes. While there was obvious room for improvement, he steps into an Arizona State situation where he will be throwing to Colorado wide receiver transfer Omarion Miller and playing for one of the best offensive minds in the country, Kenny Dillingham.
NIL Valuation: $1.8
Dylan Raiola (Nebraska), DJ Lagway (Florida), Josh Hoover (Indiana via TCU)
Dylan Raiola was tabbed as the quarterback who would bring Nebraska back to prominence, but instead, his season was ended early due to an injury, and the writing was on the wall that he was leaving. Matt Rhule fired his uncle from the coaching staff, and his younger brother, who is a 2026 quarterback recruit, backed off his pledge. Raiola may not be an elite-tier quarterback, but he has a big arm and some creativity that could make him an intriguing add.
Similar to Raiola, who was also a five-star with plenty of hype, injuries plagued DJ Lagway at Florida. In his first full year as the starter, Lagway threw for 2,264 yards with 16 touchdowns and a brutal 14 picks. His spring camp saw him throwing at a limited capacity, and he also dealt with various other knicks along the way.
Josh Hoover will enter the 2026 season as college football’s leading returning passer, accumulating 9,629 yards at TCU. He will look to keep the hype train going at Indiana, as he is set to replace projected No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.
NIL Valuation: $2 million
Drew Mestemaker (OK State via UNT)
If you love an underdog story, you’ll love Drew Mestemaker’s journey. He went from not starting a varsity game at quarterback in high school to leading college football in passing yards with 4,379. While he likely could have gone to any school he wanted, he decided to follow North Texas coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State.
NIL Valuation: $2.3 million
Sam Leavitt (Arizona State)
The biggest domino that has yet to fall in the transfer portal is Leavitt, who is expected to command a massive payday in the portal. His numbers weren’t as eye-popping as 2024 when he led the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoff, but his dual-threat ability and elite ceiling has some of the biggest programs in the country knocking on his door.
NIL Valuation: $3.1 million
Brendan Sorsby (Texas Tech via Cincinnati)
Brendan Sorsby changed the trajectory of his career with the season he had in 2025. The former Indiana quarterback threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns, while throwing just five picks. He also added nine more touchdowns on the ground, and is an early contender for the top spot in next year’s draft. Going to Texas Tech not only put him on a title contender, but earned him what reports are calling a $5 million payday.
NIL Valuation $3.3 million
Sieg is the first WVU signee to earn the Maxwell Football Club’s High School Player of the Year Award and it marks the first time a Mountaineer football recruit won a national high school player of the year award since Robert
Alexander was named Parade Magazine Back of the Year in 1976.
Sieg also was named a High School All-American by the Maxwell Football Club. He was a three-time Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 1A All-State First Team honoree, the all-time leading rusher in Fort Cherry High School
history and the WPIAL 1A Player of the Year.
Sieg authored one of the most historic careers in WPIAL history, finishing with a 49–7 record, two WPIAL championships (2023, 2024) and league records in total offense (12,592 yards) and touchdowns (139). A generational dual-threat, he became just the second player in WPIAL history to surpass 4,000 rushing and 4,000 passing yards in a career, while also setting league marks as the first player to reach 5,000 rushing yards and 3,000 passing yards and to rush and pass for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.
As a senior, he totaled 2,259 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns while adding 45 tackles and four interceptions on defense, leading Fort Cherry to a 12–1 record and a WPIAL 1A semifinal appearance. The four-time Black Hills Conference Offensive MVP ranks No. 2 in WPIAL career rushing (7,941 yards) and stands as Fort Cherry’s all-time leading rusher and passer, earning consensus four-star status and national rankings from ESPN, 247Sports\ and Rivals.
The formal presentation of the National High School Player of the Year Award will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The Maxwell Football Club will also be presenting its other national awards from college through the professional ranks at the event.
The website Sports Casting recently published data that pointed to Texas as the program with the nation’s biggest purse strings related to name, image, and likeness incentives for this year’s transfer portal, ahead of in-state juggernauts such as Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and others. Texas has $23 million in NIL funding, in fact, according to a graph Sports Casting published earlier today.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
247Sports: With Michael Masunas’ commitment, veteran Texas tight ends are under the spotlight in a crowded room
Inside Texas: Inside Texas Portal Intel: Cam Coleman, RB dominoes, and OL plans
ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION
247Sports: Texas Football Transfer Portal Tracker: All the Texas scoop, rumors, comings & goings as Longhorns fill roster
247Sports: Notes and nuggets from check-in day at the Navy All-American Bowl
247Sports: HoopHall West: New Year’s resolutions for every top-50 prospect
247Sports: Transfer Portal Intel: Latest updates on top players, led by team to watch for Sam Leavitt, as dominoes fall
247Sports: Arizona State’s Raleek Brown trending to Texas: How does he compare to outgoing RB Tre Wisner?
247Sports: Elite 2027 CB Duvay Williams’ visits come into focus at 2026 Navy All-American Bowl
Inside Texas: Texas Longhorns Portal Recruiting Intel: Latest from numerous Horns targets, coaches on road
Inside Texas: Texas’ early portal additions are creating a firm foundation
Inside Texas: How did Texas’ 2025 portal class fare this past season?
Inside Texas: Transfer Portal Reality Check: It’s okay to be frustrated, just don’t panic
Rocky Top Talk: LSU offensive tackle Ory Williams commits to Tennessee
A Sea Of Blue: Kentucky flips 4-star recruit Andre Clarke Jr. from Michigan
SB Nation: Baltimore Ravens’ 5 best head coaching options after John Harbaugh firing
SB Nation: The Panthers aren’t NFL’s worst playoff team ever, because this team is
SB Nation: TGL: Atlanta Drive GC stays undefeated in title defense with 7-4 win over The Bay
NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND
Indiana posted a major day in the early January transfer portal window, adding multiple experienced transfers on Sunday, including TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh, and Boston College running back Turbo (Hanovii) Richard.
Hoover is a redshirt junior with a high-volume TCU resume, throwing for 9,629 career yards and 71 touchdowns with a 65.2% completion rate.
He set the Horned Frogs’ single-season passing record in 2024 with 3,949 yards (27 TDs, 11 INTs) and followed it up with another productive campaign in 2025, totaling 3,472 yards with 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Hoover is expected to enroll in January and is the projected heir apparent if Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza departs for the NFL.
Marsh is a 6-foot-3 receiver who led Michigan State in receptions and receiving yards in consecutive seasons, posting 41 catches for 649 yards and three touchdowns in 2024, followed by 59 receptions for 662 yards and six scores in 2025.
Richard entered the portal after a breakout 2025 season, rushing for 749 yards and nine touchdowns on 145 carries (5.2 yards per carry) across 11 games, while also contributing in the passing game with 30 catches for 213 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Safeties Preston Zachman (Wisconsin) and Jiquan Sanks (Cincinnati), edge prospects like Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State) and Joshua Burnham (Notre Dame), and Chiddi Obiazor (Kansas State) have all reportedly transferred to Indiana as well.
On Sunday, Josh Pate described Indiana’s portal approach as “swinging wildly” and landing most of those swings, a shorthand for the Hoosiers’ aggressive, high-volume pursuit of established starters during the opening days of the transfer window.
“Indiana is swinging wildly, and it will probably shock approximately none of you to learn that they are landing every punch that they swing with,” Pate said.
“Josh Hoover, TCU quarterback, that’s who Curt Cignetti has circled, and so he is next in line to be a future Heisman finalist in Indiana… Nick Marsh, who I was really high on this past year, and then Michigan State was terrible, he’s headed to Indiana too… So Indiana is making some big moves here.”
Indiana completed a historic run in 2025, winning the Big Ten and advancing through the College Football Playoff, including a 38–3 win over No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl (CFP quarterfinal) to enter the CFP semifinals as the No. 1 seed (14–0 at that point).
Head coach Curt Cignetti’s roster rebuild has relied heavily on the portal since his arrival, bringing in high-impact portal QBs such as Kurtis Rourke (Ohio) and then Fernando Mendoza (Cal), both of whom started and helped accelerate the program’s turnaround.
By landing established contributors, especially a high-volume quarterback and proven skill-position players, Indiana changes the odds for 2026 by signaling to recruits and opponents that the program is built to last rather than flash.
Read More at College Football HQ
- No. 1 transfer portal QB earns $5 million NIL deal after interest from major college football programs
- College football’s leading rusher linked to two college football programs in transfer portal
- College football programs loses 28 players to transfer portal
- College Football Playoff team loses 23 players to transfer portal
The NCAA’s two-week January portal window (Jan. 2–16) opened with heavy quarterback movement, highlighted by North Texas standout Drew Mestemaker committing to Oklahoma State and top portal name Brendan Sorsby landing at Texas Tech.
Meanwhile, Sam Leavitt remains uncommitted while visiting multiple Power-5 programs, and both Byrum Brown and DJ Lagway have entered the portal and are in the process of scheduling visits.
Former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has also entered the transfer portal and is reportedly a priority target for several Power-5 programs.
On Friday, January 2, CBS Sports analysts Cooper Petagna and Chris Hummer flagged Raiola as a quarterback who becomes materially more effective when surrounded by a strong supporting cast, pointing to two specific college football programs as logical fits.
“If you put him in an environment like Miami or an environment like Oregon where you surround him with the type of playmakers and the type of offensive line and the type of running game that those programs provide, then Dylan Raiola becomes a lot more of a net positive, rather than being the guy,” said Petagna.
Raiola started Nebraska’s first nine games in 2025 before suffering a broken right fibula against USC on November 1, an injury that ended his season.
At the time, he had completed 181 of 250 passes (72.4%) for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions, posting a 158.6 passer rating while ranking among the national leaders in completion percentage.
A consensus five-star recruit from Buford, Georgia, Raiola started as a true freshman in 2024, completing 275 of 410 passes (67.1%) for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions across 13 games.
He is also one of the more marketable athletes in college football, with On3’s public player profile listing an estimated NIL valuation of $2 million, driven by partnerships with adidas, Campus Ink, EA Sports and Panini America.
Each is currently a College Football Playoff (CFP) team with a deep receiving corps, strong offensive lines and reliable running games that would help mask pocket limitations and accelerate his development.
Oregon’s fast-paced, high-efficiency offense and established receiver pipeline would amplify his strengths, while Miami’s pro-style balance, elite NIL market and recent success developing transfer quarterbacks provide immediate resources and exposure.
Together, both programs offer elite coaching, medical and strength staffs, playoff-level competition and consistent NFL scouting attention, a combination that maximizes Raiola’s long-term upside while boosting national title aspirations.
Read More at College Football HQ
- No. 1 transfer portal QB earns $5 million NIL deal after interest from major college football programs
- College football’s leading rusher linked to two college football programs in transfer portal
- College football programs loses 28 players to transfer portal
- College Football Playoff team loses 23 players to transfer portal
Major NIL deal reportedly not ‘deciding factor’ for No. 1 transfer portal player
Washington State PAC Pushes for Trans Sports Ban With Genital Inspections
New Floral Shop Aspen and Willow Brings Vibrant Arrangements to Green River
College football transfers with the highest NIL valuations
Grand Forks County Commission discuss new position and funding sources for Youth Assessment Center – Grand Forks Herald
CK wins thriller in consolation championship | Sports
Joe Perry Little, Jr. Obituary
North Charleston plans youth development park with community partners
Sieg Named National High School Player of the Year by Maxwell Football Club
How Florida Became a Hockey Hotbed
performance-driven gaming monitors : gaming monitor
Longhorns Daily News: Texas has highest NIL transfer portal budget, data says
Demi Wagdy – Women’s Beach Volleyball
REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet Arrives in Korea with Snapdragon 8 Elite and 165Hz OLED
No. 1 college football team soars in transfer portal rankings after ‘swinging wildly’
SoundGear Named Entitlement Sponsor of Spears CARS Tour Southwest Opener
Donny Schatz finds new home for 2026, inks full-time deal with CJB Motorsports – InForum
David Blitzer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
DeSantis Talks College Football, Calls for Reforms to NIL and Transfer Portal · The Floridian
#11 Volleyball Practices, Then Meets Media Prior to #2 Kentucky Match
Rick Ware Racing switching to Chevrolet for 2026
Maine wraps up Fall Semester with a win in Black Bear Invitational
Ross Brawn to receive Autosport Gold Medal Award at 2026 Autosport Awards, Honouring a Lifetime Shaping Modern F1
Nascar legal saga ends as 23XI, Front Row secure settlement
Stempien to seek opening for Branch County Circuit Court Judge | WTVB | 1590 AM · 95.5 FM
Sunoco to sponsor No. 8 Ganassi Honda IndyCar in multi-year deal
Princeton Area Community Foundation awards more than $1.3 million to 40 local nonprofits ⋆ Princeton, NJ local news %
Downtown Athletic Club of Hawaiʻi gives $300K to Boost the ’Bows NIL fund
WNBA’s Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers in NC, making debut for national team at USA camp at Duke
North Florida Motorsports Park led by Indy 500 Champion and motorsports legend Bobby Rahal Nassau County, FL
-
Rec Sports3 weeks agoPrinceton Area Community Foundation awards more than $1.3 million to 40 local nonprofits ⋆ Princeton, NJ local news %
-
Sports3 weeks agoBeach Volleyball Unveils 2026 Spring Schedule – University of South Carolina Athletics
-
Sports2 weeks agoBadgers news: Wisconsin lands 2nd commitment from transfer portal
-
Sports3 weeks agoBadgers news: Final Four Game Thread vs. No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats
-
Rec Sports4 days agoFive Youth Sports Trends We’re Watching in 2026
-
Sports2 weeks agoIs women’s volleyball the SEC’s next big sport? How Kentucky, Texas A&M broke through
-
Sports3 weeks agoFour From Women’s Volleyball Named to College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team
-
Rec Sports3 weeks agoRefugee-Focused Youth Sport Initiatives : Moving for Change
-
Rec Sports3 weeks agoYouth Sports Business in 2025: The Year the Industry Grew Up
-
Rec Sports3 weeks ago
Inside the NWSL’s first combine: Can the league create a more robust pathway for American talent development?