The SEC’s NIL Landscape
On3 has recently released a set of verified name, image and likeness (NIL) valuations for top football and men’s basketball players, offering a rare glimpse into how much schools are actually paying their athletes outside the classroom.
The data shows a pronounced concentration of high‑value deals in the SEC, with the Miami Hurricanes topping the list at $14.5 million in confirmed football compensation. Quarterback Darian Mensah leads the individual market with a $6.5 million agreement, while teammates Somto Cyril and Acaden Lewis command $4 million and $3 million respectively in basketball guarantees.
Other programs are not far behind. Kentucky lists two football players and three basketball standouts with verified agreements, the largest of which is a $6 million pact for Milan Momcilovic to join coach Mark Pope’s roster. Tennessee’s transfer trio of Juke Harris, Dai Dai Ames and Jalen Haralson have also secured sizable deals, while Texas A&M boasts a $4 million point guard in PJ Haggerty and a $3 million quarterback in Marcel Reed.
LSU’s football contingent has accumulated $8.5 million in NIL commitments for Sam Leavitt and Jordan Seaton, and Ole Miss reports $7 million spread across Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy. The Florida Gators have a single $5 million deal for forward Thomas Haugh, and South Carolina’s $4 million pool is split evenly between LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart. Auburn’s Byrum Brown carries a $3 million guarantee, and Vanderbilt freshman Jared Curtis is set to earn $2 million.
Alabama, by contrast, appears to be holding back. Only two of its football players have verified deals and none in men’s basketball, reflecting the program’s deliberate approach to player valuation. Coach Nate Oats has emphasized that the team will build a competitive roster without outspending rivals, a strategy that has already paid dividends in recruiting.
Despite the modest numbers, Alabama fans are already wondering whether the Crimson Tide can afford to keep rising star Keelon Russell if his performance escalates. The answer will depend on how the SEC’s NIL market evolves and whether Alabama chooses to adjust its valuation limits in the coming seasons.