The NIL landscape of college sports is ever-changing as young players keep making a name for themselves. AJ Dybantsa indeed worked hard and accomplished beyond expectations to reach the NIL valuation of $3.8 million. But who is the Ohio State star who has surpassed Dybantsa with his latest on-field heroics?

In a surprising turn of events, Ohio State freshman Jeremiah Smith has increased his NIL valuation to $4 million following a stellar performance in the College Football Playoff. This increase has propelled the wide receiver ahead of high school basketball sensation AJ Dybantsa, whose NIL valuation stands at $3.8 million. Smith gained $284,000 after his latest triumph against Notre Dame.

While Dybantsa, the 6-foot-9 forward from Utah Prep is recognized as the top-ranked basketball recruit in the class of 2025. His extraordinary talent has already achieved a shoe deal with Nike worth $4 million. The young hooper has already committed his talents to Brigham Young University. In fact, his deal with BYU was signed valuing his NIL at $7 million which is notably significant for a high school recruit. He chose BYU above the reputed teams of Kansas and UNC.

Despite Dybantsa’s huge deals, Smith has outrun him in the NIL evaluation, thanks to his most recent game. However, there is still a lot to expect of the young hooper. He contributed 25 points in his last game in Utah Prep’s 74-60 loss to Montverde Academy. His high school coach Keith Smart compared him to an NBA legend recently. Smart said, “The player he reminded me of the most is that guy, who, I’m sorry he passed away, Kobe Bryant,”

While we eagerly wait to see Dybantsa playing NCAA games, let’s have a look at the other upcoming players of the 2025-26 season.

Upcoming 2025-26 class college hoopers beyond Dybantsa

There is a lot to expect from the upcoming range of college hoopers that we will get to see soon. That includes the Duke Blue Devils’ hire, Cameron Boozer. The 6-foot-9 forward is the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer. According to On3, his NIL stands at $1.6 million and he was recently chosen for the Nike Hoop Summit.

The other notable player is Nate Ament of Highland Monteray. The tallest player on his school team at 6 foot 9, is yet to choose a college for good but fans expect it to be between the Duke Blue Devils or the Tennessee Volunteers. He was the MVP of his last game where he scored 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Other honorable mentions include Darryn Peterson who has committed to the Kansas Jayhawks and Lebron James’s son Bryce James who will play for the Arizona Wildcats soon. While we are already enjoying a great season of college basketball, the next one seems promising too.