Transfer portal QBs, EDGEs see massive On3 NIL Valuation increase

It’s been well established in the NIL Era that acquiring talent at premium positions through the transfer portal is going to cost. And the latest On3 NIL Valuations update showcases once again that quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, offensive tackles and EDGES command the market.

The biggest valuation increases this week came at those key positions, highlighted by three EDGE defenders and three quarterbacks that entered the transfer portal. Overall, the top 20 On3 NIL Valuation increases featured six EDGEs, five quarterbacks, four receivers, three running backs and two offensive tackles in the portal.

As On3 reported this past May, high school bidding wars underwent a market reset. The portal is now seeing that. The dollars haven’t stopped flowing. It’s become clearer what talent at certain positions costs, which are indicated by the latest On3 NIL Valuations. Even Nebraska coach Matt Rhule was blunt about the price of landing an elite quarterback in college football’s free agency.

2024 College Football Transfer Portal Rankings

Here’s a look at some of the biggest movers in the updated On3 NIL Valuations.

QB Riley Leonard

On3 NIL Valuation: $653K
On3 NIL 100 Rank: No. 70
Increase over last week: $406,000

In a flood of quarterbacks entering the portal, former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard ranks as one of the most-wanted. Leonard saw an On3 NIL Valuation increase of $406,000 this week, showcasing how in demand he is with college coaches.

In 27 career games with the Blue Devils, Leonard threw for more than 4,400 yards and 24 touchdowns. Returning for another year is thought to only boost his draft stock. Mike Singer of On3’s BlueandGold.com reported Leonard is taking an official visit to Notre Dame on Wednesday and Thursday.

QB Brock Vandagriff

On3 NIL Valuation: $470K
On3 College Football NIL Rank: No. 110
Increase over last week: $318,000

It took less than 48 hours for former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff to go from entering the portal to committing to Kentucky. Across three seasons in Athens, Vandagriff appeared in more than 10 games as a reserve signal-caller for the Bulldogs.

However, he was a five-star recruit coming out of Bogart (Georgia) Prince Avenue Christian, and he told On3’s Chad Simmons that Kentucky’s offense fits him well. “It will get me ready for the next level, which has always been the goal,” Vandagriff told Simmons. Kentucky has stepped up its NIL game over the past 12 months, which should make Vandagriff’s valuation no problem to handle.

EDGE RJ Oben

On3 NIL Valuation: $310,000
On3 College Football NIL Rank: No. 228
Increase over last week: $288,000

With Mike Elko leaving for Texas A&M, several top Blue Devil players like Leonard and EDGE RJ Oben are now in the portal. And just like his former quarterback teammate, Oben is going to be a hot target with recruiters looking for an impact pass rusher.

Oben, the son of former NFL Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman Roman Oben, appeared in all 12 games this season for Duke, finishing with 17 tackles, six tackles for a loss and five sacks. He had 14.5 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss and 67 tackles during his time with Duke. USC, Oklahoma, Auburn, Notre Dame, Florida State, Penn State, Louisville, Missouri, Pitt, Virginia Tech and South Carolina are teams that have already been linked with him.

WR Juice Wells

On3 NIL Valuation: $342,000
On3 College Football NIL Rank: No. 192
Increase over last week: $280,000

Former South Carolina receiver Juice Wells entered the 2023 season with massive expectations.

He was a preseason All-SEC pick and was Spencer Rattler’s top target, collecting a team-high 68 catches for 928 yards and six touchdowns in 2022. Wells elected in January to return to Columbia for the 2023 season after considering leaving for the NFL. But things never went right with a foot injury hampering his success.

Wells is no stranger to the NIL space with several brand deals, so he should have a grasp on what he can command in the market. On3’s Pete Nakos reported Tuesday that Tennessee and Texas are emerging schools for Wells.

QB Dequan Finn

On3 NIL Valuation: $299,000
On3 College Football NIL Rank: No. 239
Increase over last week: $275,000

Former Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn jumped into the portal as one of the top signal-callers in the MAC and a proven track record that drives his value up.

Finn led the Rockets to the MAC Championship Game in 2023. Throughout the season, Finn amassed 2,657 passing yards and 23 passing touchdowns. He also is a threat on the ground with 563 yards rushing and seven additional touchdowns. In total, Finn’s 7,079 passing yards end up as fifth most in Toledo history and his 1,837 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground are the most in program history by a full-time quarterback.

With one year of eligibility and quarterbacks in demand, Finn should have his pick of schools and deals.

OT Luke Newman

On3 NIL Valuation: $281,000
On3 College Football NIL Rank: No. 260
Increase over last week: $274,000

As a three-time Patriot League first-team pick and a third-team preseason All-American, Holy Cross offensive tackle Luke Newman instantly became one of the top transfer portal targets the second he dove in.

Outside of quarterbacks and impact pass-rushers, protecting your signal-caller with an elite offensive tackle is vital in college football. That’s a significant reason why Newman’s valuation got a major boost.

EDGE Mikail Kamara

On3 NIL Valuation: $287,000
On3 College Football NIL Rank: No. 252
Increase over last week: $274,000

Mikail Kamara’s stat line at James Madison surely has defensive coordinators dreaming of inserting him into their starting lineup.

This season Kamara recorded 52 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks and forced three fumbles. He departs James Madison with 26.5 tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks in his career. Numbers like that – along with two years of eligibility still available – make him a valuable commodity and certainly speak to why his On3 NIL Valuation increased.

EDGE Kyle Kennard

On3 NIL Valuation: $290,000
On3 College Football NIL Rank: No. 250
Increase over last week: $262,000

Kyle Kennard led Georgia Tech with six sacks during his junior season. Plus, Kennard totaled 54 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and had one interception this season.

The Yellow Jacket coaches raved about how Kennard showed major progression from his sophomore campaign. That progression – combined with success against quality teams in the ACC – makes him a valuable transfer portal target and shows why he could do well through NIL.

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 in an athlete’s personal brand and the value it could bring to regional and national brands outside of the scope of NIL collectives.