College baseball, thank you for entertaining us when we wait somewhat patiently for the start of college football. Time for you to move aside until the next College World Series. After last season’s surprising University of Indiana National Championship win, the talks around about programs to win are in full swing. But, entering this season who are the players to watch for when it comes to NIL deals? Well, let’s talk about it from both a player only side and programs as a whole who are making waves within the NIL game.
Ohio State had a duo of lethal wide receivers this past season. Jeremiah Smith became a household name last season. But his courter part, Carnell Tate also made a name for himself. Tate accumulated $1.5 million in NIL. Shocked it is that low? Well, because of his more known teammate, Smith, Tate’s NIL was basically capped because of the earnings of Smith. Tate ranks 39th in all college athletes NIL earnings.
When you think of SEC schools such as Bama, Clemson, and LSU. You might think that they would spend an arm and a leg in NIL for this star players. Sure, that is the case sometimes. But Alabama’s QB at the time Jalen Milroe had a $1.9 million deal. Ty Simpson the other Alabama QB secured a $2.5 million deal. Sure, that is still A LOT, I just expected it to be higher. Wouldn’t you?
Especially when you hear how much Nebraska paid Dylan Raiola, now the back up to Dante Moore at Oregon. Last season Raiola was getting $2.3 million. A BIG 10 team who struggled despite they QB making more than the Alabama QB Milroe.
The guy who helped lead Indiana to their first National Championship; Fernando Mendoza did a lot for the Hoosiers. Winning the Heisman this past season and winning the hearts of Indiana fans. He ranked just 17th in all of college athletes NIL deals. He secured a $2.6 million dollar deal after transferring from Cal.
John Mateer, a Heisman hopeful before a finger injury limited his production at Oklahoma signed an even bigger contract than Mendoza. $2.8 million. Sure, Oklahoma has more of a football history than Indiana, almost everyone does. But that does not make sense to me. How did Mendoza make less?
To wrap up the player only focus of this post. The QB who is back to help lead his team to the championship. Dante Moore, who everyone was expecting to enter the draft following his performance last season. The Oregon QB is sitting on a $3 million deal. As Oregon has invested in him to help them break through and win the National Championship.
So now what programs are spending the most on NIL? Well, here is the rankings for the top 10 programs who spend the most money. I will continue to update this as the preseason progresses to see if anything changes.
- Texas (SEC) $74 million
- LSU (SEC) $66 million
- Ohio State (BIG 10) $64 million
- Oregon (BIG 10) $60 million
- Texas A&M (SEC) $57 million
- Miami (FL) (ACC) $55 million
- Norte Dame (ACC) $52 million
- Tennessee (SEC) $50 million
- Alabama (SEC) $49 million
- Georgia (SEC) $48 million
Does any of that surprise you? For me I always expect Alabama to be higher, but the game has changed players are transferring quicker than you can say “Omaha!”.
Jack Erskine 
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