Which Oregon defensive players have the highest NIL valuation?

Oregon’s defensive two-deep is filled with some of the brightest stars in college football. With a linebacker corps that is among the best in the nation, and a large collection of promising young players, the Ducks have no shortage of top-end defensive talent.

But what exactly is the value of their best defensive players in terms of name, image, and likeness?

The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that applies a dollar value to the earning potential of college athletes and high school athletes — you can read more about it here.

On Thursday, ScoopDuck dove into the numbers and assembled a list of Oregon’s most valuable offensive players. Now, here’s a rundown of which Ducks’ defensive players have the greatest NIL valuation. All values are courtesy of On3.

1. Noah Sewell — LB ($645k)

Superstar linebacker Noah Sewell doesn’t just top the list of Oregon defensive players; he has one of the highest NIL valuations in all of college sports. Only five defensive players in the nation are listed by On3 to be more valuable in that regard than Sewell.

Sewell is the heart and soul of Oregon’s defense and is a projected first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has seen his NIL valuation skyrocket by nearly half a million dollars since March. If he delivers another stellar season, that number could continue to rise.

2. Justin Flowe — LB ($278k)

Sewell isn’t Oregon’s only linebacker with a massive NIL valuation. Justin Flowe, a former 5-star recruit who is the second-highest-rated signee in program history, is the 103rd most valuable player in the nation according to On3.

When the NIL Valuation was originally released by On3 in January, Flowe was much higher up the list. At one point, he was the 29th most valuable college or high school athlete in the country and ranked 16 spots ahead of Sewell. But his value has stagnated recently, largely due to the fact that he missed nearly the entire 2021 season due to injury.

Flowe has a massive Instagram following, and a healthy return could see him become one of the true superstars of the sport.

3. Brandon Dorlus — DL ($157k)

Oregon defensive end Brandon Dorlus doesn’t have a Twitter or Instagram. His TikTok account has just 30 followers. Dorlus’ social media presence is non-existent, and yet he still has one of the highest NIL valuations in the Pac-12.

What Dorlus does have is an incredible on-field resume. He was an all-conference selection in 2021 and one of the most disruptive players in an Oregon defensive that featured Sewell and All-American edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Like Flowe, Dorlus could see his valuation skyrocket if he blossoms into the star many scouts and analysts are expecting him to become.

4. Jeffrey Bassa — LB ($44k)

Jeffrey Bassa came to Oregon as a safety but burst onto the scene last season at linebacker due to an injury crisis at the position. As a true freshman, he quickly established himself as a dynamic presence and was so effective there that Dan Lanning and his staff are keeping him at inside ‘backer permanantly.

If 2021 is an indicator, Bassa is going to be an outstanding player for years to come no matter where he lines up on the field. With a massive TikTok following of over 55k, his valuation will almost certainly increase in the near future.

5. Dontae Manning — CB ($43k)

Another player who arrived with Oregon’s stacked 2020 recruiting class, sophomore cornerback Dontae Manning was a 5-star recruit and the No. 33 player in the nation before signing with the Ducks. He hasn’t yet reached the on-field heights that many Oregon fans hoped he would, but Manning had a nice spring before suffering a knee injury and is projected to start at corner for the Ducks in 2022.

He has as much sheer talent as any defensive back in the Pac-12 and could emerge as a star in Tosh Lupoi’s defense this season.