Flory Bidunga has one of the highest NIL valuations among student-athletes.Ed Zurga/Getty ImagesThe 2025-26 academic year was the first full season in which colleges could pay athletes directly.The On3 NIL valuation reflects the current player contract value. Some are valued in the millions.Top college athletes have worked with brands like Nike and Beats by Dre.Some of the top college athletes are making millions of dollars.Name, image, and likeness deals — or NIL deals for short — have become a billion-dollar industry since their introduction to amateur sports in 2021, allowing student-athletes to earn significant amounts of money.Plus, in May 2024, as part of a major antitrust settlement, the NCAA and its five power conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC) agreed that schools can directly pay their athletes for the first time in college athletics history.This took effect in July 2025, making the 2025-26 academic year the first full season where college athletes could be compensated by their schools.Spencer Wadsworth, the senior vice president of global soccer at Wasserman, a global sports, music, and entertainment company, previously told Business Insider that NIL has helped take the pressure off some athletes to go pro prematurely."I think knowing that you can still earn some living — technically get paid for your sport — and continue your studies is extremely positive because everyone does have their own journey," Wadsworth said.The On3 NIL valuation reflects the current player contract value. The following athletes' valuations are based on confirmed player contracts, rather than an athlete's marketing value or endorsement potential.With valuations starting at $5 million, here's a look at the top 10 student-athletes with the biggest college compensation packages. These figures were accurate as of August 2026.10. Trinidad Chambliss — $5 millionTrinidad Chambliss has a NIL valuation of $5 million.Justin Ford/Getty Images for ONITUniversity of Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is preparing for his second season with the Ole Miss Rebels.Chambliss was the 2025 SEC Newcomer of the Year after helping lead the Rebels to the College Football Playoff.In an interview with Vanity Fair published in April, Chambliss said when he first started college, he budgeted $100 for two weeks' worth of groceries. "It's just wild to see, like, the first check hit, and it's like, wow, I have that much money. That's crazy," Chambliss said.Chambliss has a $5 million NIL valuation, per On3. In July, Nike announced that he was one of eight college football athletes added to its NIL roster.9. Massamba Diop — $5 millionMassamba Diop has an NIL valuation of $5 million.Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe 7-foot-1 Gonzaga University center, Massamba Diop, is preparing for his first season with the Gonzaga University Bulldogs after transferring from Arizona State.Hailing from Rufisque, Senegal, Diop played most of his basketball career in Spain."He's just very advanced," former head coach Bobby Hurley said about Diop on the Bickley & Marotta radio show in February. "He was very well-coached. Very fluid player. Good IQ for the game, very skilled. He just knows not to put himself in bad positions."Diop has a $5 million NIL valuation.8. Thomas Haugh — $5 millionThomas Haugh has an NIL valuation of $5 million.Carly Mackler/Getty ImagesUniversity of Florida forward Thomas Haugh passed up a projected lottery spot in the 2026 NBA draft to return for his senior season with the Gators.At 6-foot-9, Haugh led Florida last season with 17.1 points per game and averaged 6.1 rebounds."Florida is going to have the highest-paid player in all of college basketball this season," CBS Sports analyst Matt Norlander said of Haugh's decision to return to Florida in April."Rightfully so. He has put in the time. He'll be a preseason first-team All-American. He was the key cog on a national championship-winning team," Norlander added.Haugh has an NIL valuation of $5 million and was part of a March Madness NIL campaign with Walmart and Dove.6. Tyran Stokes — $5 millionTyran Stokes has an NIL valuation of $5 million.Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesUniversity of Kansas guard Tyran Stokes is preparing for his first season with the Kansas Jayhawks after playing for Rainier Beach High School.The 6-foot-8 guard averaged 31.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 4.0 steals last season."Tyran is as versatile a youngster that I've ever recruited. He can score, and he's a terrific rebounder. He's powerful and can be a great facilitator, and maybe what he does best is pass the basketball," said Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self in a press release.With over 347,000 followers on Instagram, Stokes has a NIL valuation of $5 million. He signed an NIL deal with Nike in 2025.7. Tounde Yessoufou — $5 millionTounde Yessoufou has an NIL valuation of $5 million.Mitchell Layton/Getty ImagesSt. John's University wing Tounde Yessoufou i
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