{
  "id": 271720,
  "title": "The 10 college athletes with the highest NIL valuations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/the-10-college-athletes-with-the-highest-nil-valuations",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-07T16:16:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/highest-paid-college-athletes-nil-deals-valuations"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "10. Trinidad Chambliss - $5 million\nTrinidad Chambliss, a quarterback for the University of Mississippi, has an NIL valuation of $5 million as per On3. The Mississippi native made headlines in April when he shared his initial reaction to receiving his first paycheck from Nike, stating that the amount of money was \"wild to see.\"\n\n9. Massamba Diop - $5 million\nGonzaga University's 7-foot-1 center Massamba Diop has a $5 million NIL valuation. The Senegalese-born player, who transferred from Arizona State last year, has been praised for his advanced skills and IQ on the court. Former head coach Bobby Hurley highlighted Diop's fluidity, fluidity, and IQ.\n\n8. Thomas Haugh - $5 million\nUniversity of Florida forward Thomas Haugh, who passed up the projected lottery spot in the 2026 NBA draft, has an NIL valuation of $5 million. Haugh decided to return for his senior season to lead Florida with 17.1 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game. CBS Sports analyst Matt Norlander noted that Haugh will likely be a preseason first-team All-American and a key cog in Florida's national championship-winning team.\n\n6. Tyran Stokes - $5 million\nKansas Jayhawks guard Tyran Stokes, a 6-foot-8 guard from Rainier Beach High School, has a $5 million NIL valuation. With over 347,000 followers on Instagram, Stokes signed an NIL deal with Nike in 2025. Kansas head coach Bill Self described Stokes as \"as versatile a youngster that I've ever recruited\" with the ability to score, rebound, and facilitate.\n\n7. Tounde Yessoufou - $5 million\nSt. John's University wing Tounde Yessoufou, who transferred from Baylor Bears, has an NIL valuation of $5 million. The wingman announced his transfer in June, stating that he is \"excited to have him in a Johnnies uniform.\" Reebok signed Yessoufou in June, calling him \"one of the game's most exciting rising talents.\"\n\n5. Jeremiah Smith - $5 million\nOhio State University wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, a three-year starter, has an NIL valuation of $5 million. Smith, who has been awarded the Ohio State Iron Buckeye for three consecutive years, is preparing for his third season with the Buckeyes. Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day praised Smith as a \"gentleman, a high character guy who does everything right.\"",
  "summary": "Milan Momcilovic and Darian Mensah are among the highest-paid student-athletes thanks to NIL deals. They're both worth at least $6 million each.",
  "key_points": [
    "Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss QB, has $5 million NIL valuation",
    "Gonzaga center Massamba Diop valued at $5 million",
    "Florida forward Thomas Haugh's NIL worth $5 million"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/271720.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}