How Much Do College Football Players Make?

The world of college football is an arena of passion, dedication, and, for many, a pathway to a future in the NFL. But amidst the excitement of touchdowns and cheers of the crowd, a question that often arises is, "How much do college football players make?" While the athletes certainly bring in immense revenue for their schools, the ways they earn money are varied. In this blog, we will explore the different dimensions of college football player earnings, addressing their income "Per Season," “Per Year,” “Per Game” and "With NIL Valuations."

How much do college football players make now?

Making Average Annually

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University has attempted to quantify the financial impact that individual football players have on their schools' football programs. Their findings reveal that a highly rated player with a five-star ranking can bring in an average annual revenue of $650,000 for their institution.

Making Per Season

The most high-profile Division I college football programs can earn over $100 million annually.

Traditionally, high school football recruits were promised full tuition waivers to play at the university level. However, many student-athletes and player advocacy groups have long felt that they needed to be more fairly compensated, considering the substantial revenue generated by collegiate sports programs. It is widely recognized that athletic scholarships primarily serve to incentivize outstanding performance on the field rather than promoting academic achievement.

Even within college football, the distribution of advertising revenue often favors the top players, leaving others with a relatively smaller share.

Making Per Year

The Ohio State University study also provided insights into the annual earnings potential for college football players. According to Rivals' rankings, a renowned recruiting and ranking news outlet, the hypothetical earnings of a player were determined for this study. A five-star athlete can contribute as much as $6.5 million per year to their school, while a four-star player typically generates $3.5 million. Even a three-star player can add an extra $150,000 to a school's finances. However, the data also highlights how quickly a less successful athlete can become a financial burden to their institution, with the average cost to a university for a two-star recruit being around $13,000.

Making Per Game

When playing football at the college level, not all schools are created equal. The best high school players often gravitate toward national football powerhouses like Alabama or Ohio State. Researchers have estimated that top players can bring in approximately $200,000 in revenue for these schools.

Making with NIL

While direct payments to students are prohibited under the NIL, the NCAA now allows its most famous athletes to profit from their names, images, and likenesses. Athletes with substantial online followings can negotiate lucrative endorsement deals and other opportunities. Although most student-athletes earn less than $10,000 per year via NIL partnerships, there are examples of far higher earnings. Some students pocket far higher profits.

Are College Football Players Get Paid?

While their schools don't provide payment, they can receive fan donations, endorsement deals, and booster club gifts. Collegiate athletes, from football's Heisman Trophy winner to small-college wrestling champions, have income opportunities during their athletic careers.

The Highest Paid College Football Player

As of now, the record for the highest earnings among college football player is Bryce Young, who serves as Alabama's starting quarterback.

How Do College Athletes Make Money?

Beginning in 2021, players can legally capitalize on their names, images, and photographs through the NIL. Some student-athletes have already signed endorsement deals worth five or six figures. However, the majority of the 460,000 college players in the United States have earned lower sums or received free products from local businesses.

The landscape for college football players and their earnings has evolved significantly in recent years. With the NIL policy in place, student-athletes now have more opportunities to benefit from their talents and hard work. While the financial prospects for college football players vary widely, these changes have opened new doors for athletes to turn their passion into profit.