Michigan football players with the highest NIL Valuations from On3
Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) has taken the collegiate athletics world by storm, and On3Sports has changed the game even further with its Jan. 7, 2022 release of the On3 NIL Valuation — an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes.
The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.
The NIL valuation is comprised of a number of dynamic data points that focus on two primary factors — an athlete’s social media presence and their level of athletic performance.
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A base valuation is generated from the number of followers on each social media platform an athlete has (Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok). Each platform is weighted differently based on the number of marketing dollars that brands and advertisers typically spend on each.
With a baseline established through their individual social platforms, an athlete may also receive various boosts or penalties based on the following factors: Engagement, relative social media strength, college prestige, individual player rankings, position, gameday performance, prestigious achievements, legacy, media or existing NIL deals.
When examining the College Football NIL Rankings — the listing of the top 100 college athletes’ NIL valuations — Michigan football players are positioned well, with seven checking in on the list.
5. DE Aidan Hutchinson
Instagram: 83k
Twitter: 34k
Total Followers: 117k
NIL Valuation: $557k
Overview: Hutchinson is the favorite to be picked No. 1 overall in this spring’s NFL Draft, after racking up a program-record 14 sacks during the 2021 season at Michigan. This season, he signed deals with Bose, Dr. Pepper, Vans and other companies. Hutchinson left one year of eligibility on the table and has declared for the draft.
26. QB J.J. McCarthy
Instagram: 101k
Twitter: 36k
Tiktok: 538
Total Followers: 138k
NIL Valuation: $214k
Overview: McCarthy is in the midst of what is set to be a fierce quarterback competition with Cade McNamara, who also appears on the College Football NIL Rankings. McCarthy served as a backup for Michigan this past season but possesses immense physical talent and leadership skills, is charismatic and has already signed deals with AT&T and other companies. He also had the highest social media following out of any recruit in the class of 2022.
33. RB Hassan Haskins
Instagram: 39k
Twitter: 14.5k
Total Followers: 53k
NIL Valuation: $192k
Overview: Haskins will go down in the Michigan football history books, after setting the program’s single-season record with 20 rushing touchdowns and scoring five of those in an epic win over rival Ohio State. A fan favorite despite his quiet (off the field) nature, Haskins declared for the NFL Draft after four seasons.
39. OLB David Ojabo
Instagram: 35k
Twitter: 14.6k
Total Followers: 50k
NIL Valuation: $164k
Overview: Ojabo had played in less than 50 career snaps before breaking out for Michigan in 2021 and registering 11 sacks and a program-record five forced fumbles. The Nigerian-born, Scotland-raised product declared for the NFL Draft after three seasons in the winged helmet.
47. RB Blake Corum
Instagram: 49k
Twitter: 22k
TikTok: 9.7k
Total Followers: 81k
NIL Valuation: $154k
Overview: Another fan favorite, Corum nearly rushed for 1,000 yards (952) while scoring total 12 touchdowns and posting 141 receiving yards, serving as a change-of-pace back with more speed to contrast Haskins’ power. Corum has his own clothing line — BC2 — and is known for giving back to the community. He donated turkeys to the less fortunate on Thanksgiving and regularly works with the local youth.
“Football is my passion,” Corum says. “Giving back is my purpose.”
68. QB Cade McNamara
Instagram: 44k
Twitter: 24k
Total Followers: 68k
NIL Valuation: $120k
Overview: Michigan’s starting quarterback led the Wolverines to their first Big Ten title since 2004 and first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. He was the first college athlete to publicly announce a deal that includes cryptocurrency as a form of payment (MORE Coin).
97: DB Daxton Hill
Instagram: 23k
Twitter: 15.5k
TikTok: 623
Total Followers: 37k
NIL Valuation: $109k
Overview: A quiet star, Hill was a former five-star recruit who chose Michigan over Alabama back in 2019. He served as a dynamic weapon on the Michigan defense, primarily playing nickel but also seeing time at safety and cornerback. He isn’t overly boisterous in interviews or on social media, but his play does the talking.
