College Football Athlete Promised 5-Acres of Land in Hefty NIL Package: SEC Insider

From Lamborghinis to private jets to even chocolate chip cookies there have been some truly unique NIL deals. The influx of massive NIL deals has not only changed the fortunes of college athletes but also shaped how programs are looking to build their teams with the best players available. Of course, this new NIL era doesn’t lack narratives. Michigan landed Bryce Underwood after offering him a massive NIL deal when he seemed destined to end up at LSU. The NIL has overshadowed the excitement of National Signing Day, with many programs getting their players locked in early in the process, starting from the Early Signing Day in December.

Most of the 2025 class has already signed and some have even committed to their respective programs. If the insiders from Power 4 conferences are to be believed, the 2025 recruiting battle was tougher than ever. At the 11th hour, massive offers were flying in, flipping commitments, and shaking up recruiting boards. We know the heavy spenders—in the SEC, it’s Texas and Tennessee. In the Big 10, it’s Oregon and Ohio State. How can you leave behind teams like Nebraska and Michigan?

On3 surveyed several Power Four NIL collectives and personnel staffers to get information such as which were the biggest deals, the most expensive positions, and who were the biggest spenders. This brought up some interesting details as we look to understand how NIL impacted and shaped the 2025 class.

When it came to the highest-paid player in the class Bryce Underwood was believed to be the athlete with the biggest paycheck. Underwood flipped from LSU and landed an 8-figure NIL deal with Michigan with reports of him earning $10.5 million over four years. Underwood’s NIL deal has also included a partnership with Feldman Chevrolet of Highland, landing the QB a 2025 Tahoe RST. But On3 reports another top-100 recruit landing a massive perk of their own.

According to a SEC NIL Collective 2, “There’s another top-100 recruit I keep hearing crazy stories about. Five acres of land that’s under development deeded to him if he stays at the school all four years. Crazy stuff. He’s going to get a percentage of the revenue from it.” Crazy stuff indeed, but not that much if you are aware of the perks many college football athletes have gotten thanks to their NIL deals.

Last year, it was reported Noah Fifita, the University of Arizona’s quarterback, will have access to private jets all season after striking an NIL deal with Alerion Aviation. The private jet company’s deal allows him to use Alerion Aviation jets for philanthropy trips and personal and team use. In return, Fifita starred in a new commercial for the company.

University of Texas football players Isaiah Bond and Michael Taaffe landed NIL deals with Lamborghini Austin last season while Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy secured an NIL deal with Moonshine Mountain Cookie Company as its designated “Cookie Monster.”

NIL isn’t just changing the game—it’s rewriting the rules. Athletes aren’t just securing deals; they’re demanding lifestyles. As one insider put it, “I’ve had more crazy things asked than ever before.” From red carpet treatment to families flying private for every game, the requests keep getting bigger. Car service for the whole family? Around-town chauffeurs? This isn’t just college football anymore—it’s a whole new level of luxury.

But having money is one thing. Spending it smartly is another. We all remember the famous Nick Saban quote about NIL spending at the start of the 2024 season. While everyone was enthralled with Ohio State’s $20 million roster investment, Saban delivered a blunt response. “You guys keep talking about a $20 million roster,” the former Alabama coach said on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” “If you don’t pay the right guys, you’ll be out of luck.” Well, given how the season turned out for OSU, it looks like they did pay the right guys after all and now every team will be chasing the same path to glory.

The price tag for elite talent in college football is reaching mind-blowing levels. Programs aren’t just spending—they’re breaking the bank to land top recruits. With NIL deals soaring, the numbers being thrown around will leave you speechless.

Which college football position has seen an immense boost in value?

In the NIL college football era, it’s the winning formula. Build from the inside out. Pay big for quarterbacks, protect them with elite tackles, and dominate the trenches with a powerful defensive line. Lock down the secondary to erase big plays. And when it’s time to strike? Get a dynamic receiver—the kind who can flip the game in one play. That’s how champions are built. So, what’s their compensation?

The price of talent keeps soaring. In Year One, locking in a top recruit takes at least $2 million. Want a four-star playmaker? That’ll cost you anywhere from $500,000 to $700,000, depending on what you’re bringing to the table. So, in today’s game, the right investment can change a program overnight.

In the last year, the price of play has skyrocketed. Offensive tackles? By far, the most expensive. The cost to lock down elite talent in the trenches and the secondary has tripled or even quadrupled in just a year. And wide receivers? Good luck finding one in the portal. They’re hard to get and even harder to afford, with price tags soaring between $500,000 and $900,000.

Now, with millions on the line, it’s time to see if the big-money investments pay off. Will these high-priced stars deliver on the hype? Or will the weight of those hefty NIL deals be too much to carry? 2025 is where the money meets the moment.