Ohio State Jeremiah Smith Leads College Football NIL Salaries

Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, Ohio State's top wide receivers, are among the highest NIL earners in college football, with Smith expected to make between $4-5 million and Tate around $1.5 million this season. Smith, a projected No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft and a Heisman contender, has justified his pay with outstanding on-field performances, including a record-setting game early in the season. Ohio State heavily invests in retaining top talent like Smith, reflecting a pay-for-play reality in college football's NIL era. Auburn’s Cam Coleman and Alabama’s Ryan Williams are also top NIL earners among wide receivers, with Coleman making over $1 million and Williams close to $1.8 million this season after impressive freshman campaigns. These figures highlight the increasing financial stakes in college football, where elite players command multi-million dollar deals based on their marketability and on-field success. The competition for top recruits is fierce, with programs offering substantial NIL compensation to secure and retain star athletes.