Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders may still be playing college football, but the star is already earning more money through NIL deals than some NFL players. Sanders’ earning potential is about to rise once the quarterback enters the NFL draft.
The quarterback will eventually be able to turn many of these NIL deals into endorsements while also earning an NFL salary. Sanders became the first college player to sign with Nike.
The star’s additional NIL deals include Beats by Dre, Google and the 5430 Alliance, a collective for Colorado athletics. On3’s projections have Sanders earning the most money of any college athlete.
Sanders’ NIL projection is $6.2 million, more than $2 million higher than LSU Tigers gymnast Livvy Dunne who is No. 2 on the list, per On3. It is worth noting most NIL deals are not made public and these are projections based on On3’s data.
Depending on where he is drafted, Sanders may already be earning more than his eventual NFL salary. How much money will Sanders make if the quarterback becomes a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft?