Recruits with massive NIL earning potential on next level

In the NIL Era, the market rate varies from school to school. Multiple factors also have to be accounted for with NIL deals. Sometimes a program is offering more so an athlete flips their commitment. Others feel pressured to bring in a top prospect because they’re expecting to lose talent at the position.

While there is some uncertainty with the market, one thing is certain at this point – recruiters and collectives are more focused on spending for difference makers in the transfer portal than for high school prospects.

But another thing is certain: There’s a handful of elite high school recruits set to sign on Wednesday that have massive NIL earning potential, even though significant funding is being spent on the portal.

Here’s a look at five talented recruits with impressive On3 NIL Valuations and the potential for massive earning potential heading into National Signing Day.

QB Dylan Raiola

On3 NIL Valuation: $727,000
On3 NIL 100 Rank: No. 69
Total Followers: 83K
Commitment: Nebraska

Nobody coming out of the Class of 2024 is positioned for NIL success more than Dylan Raiola.

Raiola is the nation’s third-ranked quarterback and a five-star prospect. On Monday, he generated national headlines when he flipped his longtime commitment from Georgia to Nebraska. He’ll arrive in Lincoln as an early enrollee and the highest-ranked Nebraska recruit in a generation.

That alone would put him in a position to do well with NIL.

But don’t overlook the fact that he’s Husker royalty.

Raiola is the son of former Nebraska and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Dominic Raiola. Along with 14 years in the NFL, his father had a legendary career for Nebraska from 1998-2000, finishing as a consensus All-American and winning the Rimington Trophy for best center in college football. Plus, his uncle, Donovan Raiola, is the offensive line coach at Nebraska.

Also, don’t forget the Huskers have a solid collective – The 1890 Initiative – that does a great job with its football roster. All of this indicates that Raiola is in a prime NIL position.

“When you look at the addition of Dylan, he is without a doubt the biggest addition Nebraska has added in the NIL Era,” Sean Callahan with HuskerOnline tells On3. “They have never had a player of this type of market value, as he checks off so many boxes playing the quarterback position, carrying a five-star ranking and being the son of a Husker legend. His presence alone now will have a driving impact on the NIL market at Nebraska.”

WR Jeremiah Smith

On3 NIL Valuation: $512,000
On3 High School NIL Rank: No. 5
Total Followers: 123K
Commitment: Ohio State

When you’re the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit, you enter college with a well-known name. When you’re the top prospect going to Ohio State you should do well. And when you’re an elite prospect committed to Ohio State but still being heavily recruited by Florida, Florida State and Miami to the end, you have a chance to do really well with NIL.

That’s the situation with Jeremiah Smith.

Smith has drawn comparisons to A.J. Green and his talent is in high demand. But what makes him even more unique is that he’s worked hard to establish a large social media brand.

With more than 123,000 followers – including 103,000 on Instagram alone – it’s a brand that will be attractive in whatever market he lands in. Plus, major companies will likely want to partner with him if he finds expected early success in college.

“While Jeremiah Smith has already built an impressive social media following, his recruitment has only helped his brand value,” On3’s Pete Nakos said.

“Visiting multiple schools over the last few months has helped his name recognition. Wherever he decides to sign his NIL for, he’ll immediately become one of the most marketable athletes on campus.”

QB Julian Sayin

On3 NIL Valuation: $805,000
On3 NIL 100 Rank: No. 49
Total Followers: 33K
Commitment: Alabama

When you’re the quarterback at Alabama, you’re already at the center of the national spotlight as part of an elite fraternity of impact players. But when you’re a top-five recruit, the nation’s No. 1 quarterback, the best prospect in California and the future quarterback at Bama, then you’re generating even more attention.

That’s the situation with Julian Sayin, who arrives in Tuscaloosa as an early enrollee with an opportunity to do massive things on the field and with NIL.

Alabama has made big leaps forward with its NIL program, spearheaded by Yea Alabama. That certainly will help him with roster value opportunities. But Sayin also has a solid social media presence that’ll only expand his chances with local and national companies – assuming he sees success on the field like other Crimson Tide signal-callers.

 “A five-star recruit, from California, that plays quarterback? Based on that criteria alone, Sayin should see plenty of NIL opportunities at the next level,” Charlie Potter of BamaOnline.com tells On3. “The summer before Bryce Young even started a game for Alabama, the then-sophomore signal-caller was almost up to seven figures for NIL, head coach Nick Saban let slide. With the similarities between the two players already existing, I could see Sayin receiving comparable interest from brands.”

QB DJ Lagway

On3 NIL Valuation: $699,000
On3 NIL 100 Rank: No. 71
Total Followers: 61K
Commitment: Florida

Has Florida found its quarterback savoir with DJ Lagway? Many Gator observers believe they have with the Five-Star Plus+ signal-caller and No. 10 overall prospect in the country.

Simply put, Lagway is the face of Billy Napier’s 2024 class, and he’s deemed an absolute priority for the program. That means he’ll arrive in Gainesville with an impressive roster valuation, which will drive his opportunity to strike a quality deal with the Florida Victorious collective.

Also, don’t overlook the social media brand he arrives at Florida with. The 61,000 followers are nothing to sneeze at, which will make him even more attractive to local and national companies.

“From everything I’ve gathered, Florida is coming heavy in the NIL department for Lagway and understandably so,” Corey Bender of Gators Online tells On3. “Quarterbacks are typically the face of a program, and with Lagway’s five-star ranking, outgoing personality and popularity among the fan base, he should be flooded with opportunities while attending Florida.”

EDGE Colin Simmons

On3 NIL Valuation: $480,000
On3 High School NIL Rank: No. 6
Total Followers: 135K
Commitment: Texas

Opportunities should be readily available for Colin Simmons as soon as he makes the drive down IH-35 from Duncanville to Austin.

As a Five-Star Plus+ recruit and the face of the back-to-back 6A state champions, Simmons’ name, image, and likeness already carry weight in DFW. Plus, don’t forget that the Texas One Fund is one of the top collectives in the country.

“Once he officially throws on the burnt orange for the newly-minted SEC program, he’s likely to contend for early playing time at a position that attracts a lot of eyeballs,” Inside Texas’ Joe Cook tells On3.

“Pair the potential of standout play on the EDGE, something that has not always been present on the 40 Acres during Texas’ doldrums, with his likely statewide popularity and Simmons stands to benefit greatly during the early years of the NIL Era.”

About the On3 NIL Valuation

The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. A proprietary algorithm, the On3 NIL Valuation calculates an athlete’s NIL value using dynamic data points targeting three primary categories: performance, influence and exposure.

About On3 NIL Valuation, Brand Value, Roster Value

While the algorithm includes deal data, it does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals athletes have completed to date, nor does it set an athlete’s NIL valuation for their entire career. The On3 NIL Valuation accounts for an athlete’s roster value and brand value. Roster value is the value an athlete has by being a member of his or her team at his or her school, which factors into the role of NIL collectives. Brand value factors into an athlete’s personal brand and the value it could bring to regional and national brands outside of the scope of NIL collectives.