Many top recruits think million-dollar NIL deals are legit: 'guys are getting the big bucks'

While conducting an exclusive survey of 85 top high school football recruits, almost every prospect On3 visited with was well aware of the splashy headlines that talked about a five-star recruit reaching a potential $8 million NIL deal. 

They were also aware that Five-Star Plus+ quarterback and USC commit Malachi Nelson has become the face of NIL for football recruits with his NIL deal with The h.wood Group. Along with that deal, ESPN reported Nelson is “expected to agree to nearly a million dollars in endorsement deals by the time he enrolls” at USC.

So, On3 asked the prospects what they thought about these deals with top recruits.

Do they believe the numbers that have been reported? And do they think it’s a good thing that recruits are earning this much money before they take a snap in college?

“It’s all true,” a four-star defensive recruit said. “Everything has been wild. It’s all surreal. I didn’t really talk to coaches about NIL, so I don’t know how much it really could be for me. I didn’t want it to be a part of my decision, even if I was passing up millions. But I definitely believe some guys are getting the big bucks. There’s too much talk about it for it not to be true.”

The anonymous survey and follow-up interviews of players ranked in the top 200 of the On3 Consensus also revealed that 30% of the top recruits are open to taking a NIL deal over a perfect fit. It also found coaching staff and NFL development are overwhelmingly more crucial factors in a prospect’s decision. Plus, 64% of the players say they are talking about deals with other prospects.

Yet, one of the more fascinating aspects of the survey came when talking to college football’s stars of tomorrow about whether or not they believe the big-money deals recruits are reportedly receiving.

Many recruits aren’t surprised by 7-figure NIL deals

Only 31.8% of the top recruits surveyed say they have been contacted by a collective to do a NIL agreement with them. However, almost all the players interviewed said they’re not surprised at the numbers that have been thrown around.

One elite offensive player said he “100% believes” reports that a star quarterback turned down millions by picking one school over another. Another heralded recruit said he also isn’t surprised by reports that some prospects, especially quarterbacks, can get deals that range into high six or even seven figures.

“I’m all for it,” he said. “If we can get paid, let’s get paid. I definitely believe it. It is what it is.”

Even if they aren’t getting the same type of opportunities many recruits interviewed said they were encouraged by the numbers being thrown around.

“That’s pretty cool,” one blue-chip offensive recruit said. “That’s definitely a blessing. To get that type of opportunity at such a young age coming out of high school and to really help your family out as well would be life-changing. The goal for me is to have my parents not have to work anymore. So, it would be amazing to give back to them.

“But to do it at such a young age it’s definitely a blessing. I’m excited for all these guys.”

Not everybody is a believer in reported deals

There are some skeptics, though.

“I’m not getting $8 million,” one defensive recruit said. “I’m not getting that promised to me. That’s not how the school I’m committed to does its recruiting thing. But it’s kind of hard to believe sometimes, honestly. Hearing that much money being promised to you, it’s almost like a fantasy. It’s kind of crazy that’s what football has come to now.”

A star offensive recruit from the Midwest thinks the same way.

“I don’t think they are entirely real, no,” he said. “I think they are guaranteed a sum of money and are able to make up to that amount in the four years of playing there – not an instant payday like most believe. Maybe they are real. But I don’t see the point in giving guys money who haven’t proven themselves at the college level yet.”

Can recruits handle pressure that comes with early NIL deals?

That prospect’s point of view is something that has been talked about a lot when discussing high school stars landing NIL deals.

How will these star recruits handle the pressure of already having a big NIL deal in place before they set foot on campus?

Many will look to Nelson – a Five-Star Plus+ quarterback and the No. 2 player in the On3 Consensus – for that answer. California laws and high school guidelines allow him to ink deals before he arrives at USC. Nelson has talked openly about his deal and the pressure that comes with it.

“You want to put yourself in the right position to not look like you’re just doing it for the money,” Nelson said. “Last year there were some college guys that had a bad game and then they had to wake up the next morning and post this endorsement deal. It doesn’t look very good. So, my team has put me in a good position to avoid that from happening.”

A star defensive recruit said he’s rooting for Nelson to succeed this season. He’s also confident others will step up to the challenge the added spotlight of having a NIL deal in high school brings with it.

“We can handle everything thrown our way,” the four-star prospect said. “I think it’s a thing that is benefiting everyone. Everyone is working as hard as possible, even the ones without offers, because we know what this could turn into.”

Recruits rooting on peers already making NIL deals

Either way, the support for players that already have deals in place appears to be authentic. Recruits across the country that either haven’t secured their own NIL deals or can’t because of state laws or high school athletic rules say they’re supportive of those that have already cashed in.

“Obviously, they’ve put in the work to make this money or to get these endorsements,” a star defensive recruit said. “They’ve branded themselves the correct way. They’ve advertised themselves in the correct way to where they can get these numbers. They worked for them.”

That sentiment was echoed by a high-profile offensive player.

“I think it’s cool for the kids that they have the opportunity to make that amount of money,” he said. “I know it’s a lot. But it can really help change people’s lives and families’ lives. So, I think it’s a cool opportunity for the kids.”

With only one true recruiting cycle in the NIL Era, this could only be the start of where college football is headed.