The Highest Paid College Athletes
The floodgates have opened and college athletes are now being paid to play. Since this rule was made in 2021, there have been student athletes who are making big money at the universities.
Here is a list of the purported highest paid college athletes among all the college sports. Read the full list below and see how these student athletes are being compensated.
Bronny James (USC, Point Guard): $6.1 Million Evaluation
At the top of last year’s list of highest paid college athletes was Bronny James at a whopping $6.1 million. Since Bronny is the son of the legendary Lebron James, nobody was really surprised to find out Bronny made bank.
During Bronny James’ short stint at USC, Lebron used his pull to get his son numerous endorsement deals. He was sponsored by everyone from Nike, Beats By Dre, and PSD underwear.
Then after playing his freshman year, Lebron got LA to draft his son and gave him another huge contract. Doesn’t hurt to be the King’s son.
Shedeur Sanders (Colorado, QB): $4.7 Million Evaluation
We have another son of a legendary athlete in Shedeur Sanders at #2 on the list of highest paid college athletes. Shedeur Sanders is the son of the legendary multi-sport athlete Deion “Primetime” Sanders.
Deion also happens to be the head coach of the University of Colorado where his son is the starting quarterback. He landed a huge endorsement deal from Nike to become the current highest paid athlete in college football.
Shedeur is also an aspiring rapper, like his father was and makes money off the field from this venture.
Livvy Dunne (LSU, Gymnastics): $3.3 Million Evaluation
Surprisingly, LSU gymnast Livvy Dunn ranks third among the highest paid college athletes with a $3.3 million evaluation. The LSU student was able to get this high price from her beauty and being a popular influencer online.
On TikTok, Dunne has a massive following of 8.1 million. This large following got the attention of Motorola, who gave the young gymnast a large endorsement deal.
You can expect the young gymnast to continue racking in the money well after she finishes college.
Caitlin Clark (Iowa, Guard): $3.1 Million Evaluation
During her college career, Caitlin Clark was the face of women’s basketball. She was the #1 ranked women’s college basketball player with millions of fans watching her games.
This led her to become one of the highest paid college athletes in the country. Since then, Clark has become one of the biggest sport’s stars in the world.
Now as a pro, Caitlin and Angel Reese have more people than ever watching the WNBA. She is currently the highest paid WNBA player and in talks for being the league MVP.
Travis Hunter (Colorado, WR): $2.7 Million Evaluation
Shadur Sanders isn’t the only Colorado football player getting a large sum of NIL money. WR Travis Hunter is one of the highest paid college athletes with $2.7 million.
Hunter is one of the most touted wide receivers in college with a lot of eyes on him. This attention has allowed him to get big endorsement deals, which includes an agreement with American Eagle. We’ll likely see Hunter making more money in the pros very soon.
Caleb Williams (USC, QB): $2.6 Million Evaluation
USC is one of California’s most popular universities. It should come to no surprise for anyone to see USC’s starting QB on the list of the highest paid college athletes.
Caleb Williams was the highest ranked quarterback in college football before the Chicago Bears drafted him. During his collegiate career, the highest amount Williams made was $2.6 million.
In his total collegiate career, Williams reportedly made in the area of $10 million.
Arch Manning (Texas, QB): $2.4 Million Evaluation
Texas football has returned to prominence in college football. One of their biggest recruits was Arch Manning, the brother of all-time QB greats Peyton and Eli Manning.
Every college in the country was interested in Arch and he chose Texas and landed big NIL money. In his freshman year, Manning is making an estimated $2.4 million on NIL and endorsement deals.
The youngest Manning brother has agreed to do commercials for EA and events for Panini America.
Quinn Ewers (Texas, QB): $1.9 Million Evaluation
Arch isn’t the only UT quarterback is racking in money from the NIL and endorsement deals. Quinn Ewers is also earning $1.9 million from various NIL agreements and endorsement deals.
Ewers earned a nice percentage off of Texas’ sponsorship deals with everyone from Hulu, Dr. Pepper, and Hey Dude Shoes.
Angel Reese (LSU, Forward): $1.7 Million Evaluation
Former LSU star Angel Reese was one of the athletes responsible for the millions watching women’s college basketball. In her last year in college, Reese led LSU to the school’s very first national championship.
Reese’s popularity led to her earning an estimated $1.7 million from the NIL and endorsements. In her current rookie year in the WNBA, Angel is in the race for ROTY honors with her long-time rival Caitlin Clark.
Jalen Milroe (Alabama, QB): $1.6 Million Evaluation
Being the captain of the Alabama football teams comes with a lot of attention. It also comes with many financial perks as Jalen Milroe is one of the highest paid college athletes playing football.
Milroe recorded a combined 35 touchdowns last year, which helped him earn an estimated $1.6 million. The Alabama QB earned most of this money from endorsements with EA Sports, Six Star Pro Nutrition, and Beats by Dre.
