Top five On3 NIL Valuations in Alabama vs. Tennessee showdown

It’s the Third Saturday in October. And the stakes could not be much higher.

Third-ranked Alabama travels to Rocky Top this afternoon to take on No. 6 Tennessee. For the first time since the late 1990s, the Vols feel like they are truly back. To truly earn the stamp of vindication, they first have to knock off Nick Saban and his 15-game winning streak in the rivalry. What Josh Heupel has been able to do in less than two years is nothing short of remarkable.

And this top-10 matchup has some notable NIL storylines, too. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has inked some of the top deals in college football, signing with Dr Pepper and Cash App. And on the flip side sits Hendon Hooker, who has helped resurrect the Vols. He’s earned his fair share of deals, and he signed with Tennessee collective Spyre Sports earlier this year.

The college football universe is centered in Knoxville today. And before kickoff, On3 is breaking down the top-five On3 NIL Valuations ahead of the showdown.

1. Bryce Young

On3 NIL Valuation: $2.6 million
Position: Quarterback
Per Post Value: $7,100
On3 Impact 300 ranking: No. 12

The Alabama quarterback is set to make his return this week at Tennessee, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Bryce Young missed last week’s game against Texas A&M, dealing with an AC joint injury he sustained at Arkansas. The Tide offense did enough to escape the upset-angry Aggies, but it was not pretty. Without Young, they finished with only 111 yards through the air. Since the beginning of NIL, the quarterback has been leading the way for college football. He’s netted major deals that have resulted in profits well into the seven figures. But entering the top-10 showdown on Rocky Top, Alabama is not going to be able to bank on Jimbo Fisher‘s stagnant offense. Tennessee is averaging 46.8 points per game, ranked second in the nation. Having Young, the reigning Heisman winner available, will be a difference maker for Alabama on the road in a hostile environment.

2. Will Anderson

On3 NIL Valuation: $1.7 million
Position: EDGE
Per Post Value: $2,300
On3 Impact 300 ranking: No. 2

If Will Anderson‘s start to the season did not put himself in contention for the Heisman, the last few weeks have reminded fans why he’s the best defender in college football. Against Texas, he registered a big-time sack which forced the Longhorns to kick a field goal. In the trip to Arkansas, he finished with a season-high seven total tackles. Last week was his best outing yet, though. The Alabama defense forced 14 quarterback hurries last week. Anderson created eight of them. His on-field success is showing up in NIL, too. Just this week, the edge rusher announced a partnership with the wellness and personal care brand Dr Teal’s. He’s going to have to enter this weekend with a similar gameplan for the Tide to slowdown Hendon Hooker and the Vols offense.

3. Jahmyr Gibbs

On3 NIL Valuation: $1 million
Position: Running Back
Per Post Value: $1,300
On3 Impact 300 ranking: No. 26

When Alabama needed its running game to deliver last week against Texas A&M, Jahmyr Gibbs reminded the nation why he was the top Transfer Portal target at his position this past offseason. With a lean running back room entering this fall, Nick Saban picked up the Georgia Tech transfer. Gibbs delivered last week. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound back racked up 154 yards on 21 carries, averaging 7.3 yards per touch. He also played a role in the passing game, tallying three catches. The matchup to watch will be Gibbs against the Tennessee defensive line. The Vols are currently allowing 89.2 yards per game on the ground, but they’ve yet to face a tailback like Gibbs.

4. Hendon Hooker

On3 NIL Valuation: $816,000
Position: Quarterback
Per Post Value: $1,300
On3 Impact 300 ranking: No. 33

The impact Hendon Hooker has had on the Tennessee program can’t be understated. The one-time Virginia Tech quarterback has the Vols back in the national spotlight. It’s the Third Saturday in October, and there is plenty up for grabs. Tennessee is off to a 5-0 start for the first time since 2016. And Hooker’s right at the top of the Heisman conversation. Hooker has completed 70% of his passes for 1,432 yards with 10 touchdowns. He’s yet to throw an interception, too. And he’s made sure to take his on-field success and capitalize in the NIL space. Hooker signed with Tennessee collective Spyre Sports in February, where he’s been set up with a substantial deal. Voters love to talk about the Heisman moment. It’s hard to think of a better stage than Saturday’s.

5. Jordan Battle

On3 NIL Valuation: $672,000
Position: Safety
Per Post Value: $1,300
On3 Impact 300 ranking: No. 31

Jordan Battle could have easily left Alabama and entered the 2022 NFL Draft. But the defensive back didn’t, opting to return for another season and cash in on his NIL. The safety inked deals with Krystal and The Players Trunk this summer. He most recently signed on with Embassy Suites Tuscaloosa in September, too. And he’s finding success on the field this season. Through six games this year, Battle has racked up 25 total tackles. He’s yet to record an interception, though. Playing against the pass-heavy Tennessee offense could give him an opportunity to make a game-shifting play.

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
+ Exposure

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 calculates the optimized NIL opportunity for athletes relative to the overall NIL market and projects out to as long as 12 months into the future.