Kirby Smart has a plan for paying players through NIL, but it won’t go far without collective bargaining.

PublishedMay 16, 2025 3:12 PM EDT•UpdatedMay 16, 2025 3:12 PM EDT

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Email
• Copy Link

We could be days away from a judge in California approving the House settlement that will change college athletics once again. For Georgia’s Kirby Smart, his approach to NIL and how much players should make is pretty simple, at least in his eyes. 

While commissioners and athletic directors continue to lobby for congressional help when it comes to the rules that will govern this new system, the problem is that we are so far down the road that it’s hard to turn the car around and fix certain problems. 

One of those problems is where we are with NIL, and how this was never an endorsement situation.  It was more so a pay-for-play arrangement under the disguise of finding deals for athletes when they enroll at a particular school. 

In his eyes, Kirby Smart just wants what is fair for the older athletes that might have a name big enough to make money from a school, or is up on the pecking order that is actually benefits the roster as a whole when trying to decide on how much money each player is actually worth. 

Charles Barkley Says Whether ‘Legal Or Illegal,’ He’s Done More For Auburn Than Other Athletes. Don’t Call Him

The problem is that the market is still fluctuating, with players signing for more money now than they did when NIL was first introduced. Also, with the pace at which Congress acts, the Georgia coach doesn’t see an easy solution on the horizon. 

“Very little has happened. It just shows you how hard it is to make changes and correct things, probably when they’re needed, because … people have talked about Congress. That’s not easy. Not a lot gets done quickly there and where we are right now,” Kirby Smart said to Paul Finebaum. “Like, I think every coach agrees we’re in a good place with being able to compensate players. Call it pay for play, call it NIL, I don’t care what you call it. 

“We’re all in a good place for that. We just want it to be in a way that’s sustainable. I just want to be able to have a freshman come in and not make more than a senior and I’d like for other sports to be able to still survive. You know, we’re on the brink of probably one to two years away from a lot of schools cutting sports. What’s the pushback going to be then when you start cutting non-revenue sports? I don’t want that to happen.”

Kirby Smart Is Worried About Other Sports Making The Cut

He makes a good point about cutting sports, and we are currently headed down a path of schools having to make tough decisions on how to save some of these programs. When the House settlement is approved, athletic departments will split roughly $20.6 million between the programs on each campus. Most of this money will go to football, from anywhere between $14 to $17 million, depending on what each school prioritizes. 

And let’s be honest, football is paying the bills on campus, especially when you add the television contracts to the equation. The comments from Kirby Smart come just a few days after high school prospect Jackson Cantwell agreed to play at Miami, with a contract reportedly around $2 to $2.5 million for his first season. 

I don’t see any problems with what Kirby Smart is saying, but to get to a place where you can have a pay-grade scale for players, you would need to setup a collective bargaining. And I don’t see that taking place any time soon. 

So for now, the Georgia head coach will have to continue attacking the NIL aspect of college athletics the same way he has since it was first started. 

And if he doesn’t want to match an opposing school’s offer, that’s his priority. Kirby Smart has won national titles doing things his way in the past, and I don’t see why that would stop any time soon. 

In the rapidly evolving world of college sports, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals have drastically changed the way athletes approach. No longer are student-athletes confined to just the field; they now can capitalize on their brands in ways we’ve never seen before. Clemson University, the home of its high-powered football program, has seen some of its brightest stars secure substantial NIL deals.

Let’s dive into the top 10 Tigers making waves

1. Cade Klubnik, QB | $3.3 Million

Cade Klubnik is a name Clemson fans will be familiar with for years to come, and it’s not just because of his top-notch play on the field. At an NIL worth $3.3 million, Klubnik has quickly become one of the most promotable college sports stars in the nation.

The gifted quarterback had flashes of brilliance in the 2024 season, throwing for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns and rushing for another 463 yards and seven touchdowns. He also finished as a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award and was a top 10 candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

His NIL portfolio is equally as strong, with sponsors ranging from activewear brand Rhoback to car dealership Fred Caldwell Chevrolet and even EA Sports for their college football video game. With his name value and celebrity, Klubnik is proving that he’s more than a rising star—he’s the next big entrepreneur.

2. Peter Woods, DT | $1.4 Million

Clemson’s defense has long been one of the team’s greatest assets, and Peter Woods is among their shiniest stars. At the ripe age of just 20 years young, the towering defensive tackle is already an NIL titan, with a valuation of $1.4 million.

Woods’ athleticism and work ethic on the field have made him noticed by scouts and brands alike. He has also partnered with TigerImpact, a Clemson-based NIL collective. That further solidifies him as an elite player and a giving-back type of individual.

Woods’ revolutionary brand of play in the trenches has made him a household name in the world of football. And it is only a question of time until he’s considered a top pick in the NFL Draft. Off the field, his NIL deals suggest that his leadership and influence in the Clemson community are growing.

3. T.J. Parker, EDGE | $1.1 Million

T.J. Parker’s ability to rush the quarterback with speed and quickness has made him a highly valued asset for Clemson’s defense.

With an NIL worth $1.1 million, the edge rusher is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after college stars in the NIL space. Parker’s natural ability to put pressure on quarterbacks has paid dividends in the way of a high marketability quotient. Especially with companies vying to be linked with the rising star. As he keeps building on his defensive prowess, Parker’s NIL value is sure to increase even more.

4. Blake Miller, OT | $887,000

Blake Miller may not be as much in the spotlight as some of his flashier teammates, but the value that the offensive tackle brings to Clemson’s success cannot be overstated.

Valued at $887,000 in NIL, Miller has become a headline name with his leadership on the front line. It ensures the Tigers’ quarterbacks stay on their feet and running backs gain room to burst through. Miller’s work on the offense is often overlooked by the average fan, but NFL scouts and businesses recognize the value he is adding to the game. His consistent play and good off-field character make him the best endorsement prospect.

5. Avieon Terrell, CB | $781,000

Cornerback Avieon Terrell has quickly established himself as one of the ACC’s top shutdown corners. With an NIL worth $781,000, Terrell’s ability to play lockdown corner has led to high-paying sponsorship deals. Especially with companies looking to capitalize on his brand and marketability. With speed, agility, and football IQ, Terrell is a future prospect that everybody needs to see, and with his NIL deals continuing to go up, Terrell’s future continues to grow.

6. Antonio Williams, WR | $707,000

Wide receiver Antonio Williams has been a focal point of Clemson’s passing game, and with an NIL worth $707,000, he’s also making waves in the business community.

Williams’ playmaking on big plays and ability to stretch the field have made him a big-time asset for the Tigers’ offense. His athleticism, speed, and playmaking ability have also drawn the attention of NFL scouts. He is also a national brand seeking to capitalize on his growing fame. As his professional career takes off, expect Williams’ NIL deals to balloon along with his on-the-field success.

7. Will Heldt, EDGE | $667,000

Defensive end Will Heldt brings Clemson’s defense a well-rounded array of skills, and his NIL value of $667,000 reflects his increasing value. Heldt has impressed coaches and observers with his tireless work ethic to sack the quarterback. With his career advancing, Heldt is positioning himself for even greater NIL opportunities down the road.

8. Bryant Wesco, WR | $656,000

Freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco has already become a significant contributor for Clemson, and his NIL value of $656,000 speaks to his upside. With his incredible athleticism and route-running ability, Wesco has the potential to be among the greatest wide receivers in college football. His early production and upside potential make him a compelling choice for brands looking to invest in the next college football superstar.

9. Sammy Brown, LB | $510,000

Linebacker Sammy Brown’s combination of athleticism and leadership makes him one of the top recruits in the nation. At an NIL valuation of $510,000, Brown is positioning himself to be a force on the field and in the boardroom. As he continues to develop at Clemson, expect his NIL value to increase along with his play on the field.

10. TJ Moore, WR | $474,000

Rounding out the list is wide receiver TJ Moore, whose $474,000 NIL worth shows that he has the ability to be a playmaker within the Clemson offense. Moore’s ability to make space and produce splash plays has made him a valuable commodity for the Tigers, and his fame will keep pushing his NIL deals.

KEEP READING: Top 10 Texas Longhorns With the Highest NIL Valuations

As the NIL age continues to advance, Clemson University’s football program is among the best at capitalizing on those opportunities.

Clemson’s NIL success story is only just beginning, and with these high-paid athletes showing no signs of slowing down, the Tigers will continue to be at the forefront of college athletics in both on-field performance and business ventures for years to come.

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!

West Virginia pitcher Robby Porco offers the best NIL deal in college baseball. It is actually the best NIL deal in college sports history.

He just wants to hang out!

Porco plays college baseball for the Mountaineers. The 6-foot-8, 235-pound right-handed pitcher made nine appearances during the early season with six earned runs and 15 strikeouts in 14.1 innings as a junior thus far into 2025. As you might assume from his stat line, he is more of a back-end bullpen guy who might get called to start in case of an injury or surprise scratch.

With that in mind, Robby Porco is very self-aware. His NIL earnings are capped by his sport, his status within the program and by his following on social media. The most wealthy college baseball players either hit dingers, pump gas as the Friday night ace, or go viral on Instagram and/or TikTok. He does not fit any of those three categories. He is not going to make seven figures like a quarterback and he knows that.

How much is too much to pay for a high school offensive lineman? That’s a question buzzing throughout college football this week on the heels of five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell committing to Miami.

The deal, which 247Sports previously reported could approach $2 million a year, allowed the Hurricanes to overtake Georgia for the No. 10 overall prospect in the Top247 and No. 1 player for the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

It’s a splashy move that seems in line with Miami’s general strategy during the NIL era, which has seen the Hurricanes basically do whatever it takes to land top targets, including Cam Ward‘s $2 million salary and Carson Beck‘s $4 million.

“If you can pay it, do it,” said one SEC director of player personnel. “Go get that guy.”

But college football will soon no longer be in the unlimited NIL era of the sport. Once the House settlement is approved — a decision that could come anytime over the next few days — all future NIL deals more than $600 will be subject to approval from a clearinghouse that will determine whether they meet the standard of fair market value. Schools, at least on paper, will be far more limited in their spending with revenue sharing (expected to be $14 to $16 million for most Power Four football programs) making up the majority of a pseudo salary cap.

That’s the context in which many are looking at Cantwell’s massive price tag and wondering how an unproven high school tackle could be worth it.

Mark Pope was (jokingly) taken aback when he heard the news Kentucky would be taking on Purdue — a preseason top-five team with Final Four aspirations — in an October exhibition battle inside Rupp Arena later this year.

“Wait, what? Who scheduled that?” he said, laughing to himself at the audacity of his team taking on a national powerhouse when most go out of their way to host cupcakes in early tune-up opportunities.

Is it crazy? Probably, but it’s just the way he likes it. Any chance he can to build up the schedule and create big-time environments or tests for his program, he wants to take them. When this one came along, he was thrilled to take advantage of it and what it will mean for the Wildcats in the long run.

“This is what I know,” he said this week. “This is going to sound terrible and uncalculating, but I love playing great teams all the time. I love it. I think it’s really important. Anytime there’s any chance we can get great teams to come into Rupp, we’re going to take it. If it’s in the exhibition season or the preseason or the conference season, we’ll take it.”

It’s for his team’s growth first and foremost, seeing how they stack up as a perceived contender against another perceived contender when stakes are low. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Beyond that, though, it’s a massive opportunity for fans to get a game you’d see in a high-profile non-conference event or March Madness in the comfort of their own home venue, only earlier and cheaper.

For those reasons, Pope is thrilled to host the Boilermakers on October 24 — and another program he hopes to add to the exhibition schedule in the near future.

“Listen, we care about it — I’m just excited for BBN, that we get to walk in here in late October and play the No. 1 team in the country. I’m really excited about that. I’m excited about that for our fan base. We’re working on another exhibition game that I think is going to be terrific. I’m excited for it, for our fan base.

“I’m excited about it for college basketball. I’m excited about it for our guys, because when you play against great teams, it teaches you so much about yourself.”

Another positive? It gives his group something to look forward to, more so than a lesser-known program from a lower level like most matchups that time of the year. There is a sense of urgency when practice rolls around that they won’t have time for a ramp-up period to beat up on poor competition before the real stuff begins.

If they’re not prepared, they’ll get punched in the mouth before Halloween.

“The chance to do that in an exhibition where the cost might not be so high, and get to do it really early in the season where it’s not just the data you receive after the game and during the game, but it’s all of the energy and juice that it adds to your locker room every day during the summer and during the fall, when you’re like, ‘Hey, we’re preparing for it, guys. This is coming way faster than you might anticipate.’ I think those are all real bonuses,” he added.

Oh, and don’t forget about bringing a coach he believes to be among the best in the sport to Lexington, too. Matt Painter has been doing it at the highest level for two decades with five Big Ten championships, five Big Ten Coach of the Year awards and a Final Four under his belt.

Pope is pretty excited for that head-to-head battle on the sideline — and just about everything else that comes with hosting Purdue.

“Matt Painter is — I don’t know if he’s the best coach in college basketball, but he’s certainly got to be counted among the top couple. What he’s done at Purdue is incredible,” Pope said. “I have so much respect for him, and he makes life really difficult for the teams that play against him, because he’s got a very unique, distinct style of play and style of coaching.

“In every front, that’s going to be so fun.”