Quarterback Brendan Sorsby, the top player available in college football's transfer portal, on Sunday committed to Texas Tech, joining a Red Raiders program fresh off of its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. And Sorsby will reportedly be paid not just like the best player available in the transfer portal, but akin to a first-round NFL draft pick.
Sources told Pete Thamel of ESPN that Sorsby's NIL deal was expected to be in the range of $5 million, a number that Front Office Sports also reported in conjunction with Sorsby. While it's entirely possible that Sorsby, who was also courted by the deep-pocketed LSU Tigers, will earn more than $5 million, it's at least a realistic projection in this case, given that the Red Raiders just last year invested $7 million in its defensive line.
How Sorsby's reported NIL deal compares to NFL rookie contracts
Here's where Sorsby's NIL deal would check in at when compared to the rookie contracts of all 32 first-round picks from the 2025 NFL draft. Note: Contract figures listed for 2025 first-round draft picks are the average annual value of their rookie deals.
| Pick No. | Name | Contract Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cam Ward | $12,209,905 |
| 2 | Travis Hunter | $11,662,282 |
| 3 | Abdul Carter | $11,313,795 |
| 4 | Will Campbell | $10,915,526 |
| 5 | Mason Graham | $10,218,548 |
| 6 | Ashton Jeanty | $8,973,953 |
| 7 | Armand Membou | $7,978,296 |
| 8 | Tet McMillan | $6,982,598 |
| 9 | Kelvin Banks Jr. | $6,932,812 |
| 10 | Colston Loveland | $6,659,002 |
| 11 | Mykel Williams | $6,235,839 |
| 12 | Tyler Booker | $5,638,430 |
| 13 | Kenneth Grant | $5,489,078 |
| 14 | Tyler Warren | $5,240,163 |
| 15 | Jalon Walker | $5,140,593 |
| 16 | Walter Nolen | $4,841,888 |
| 17 | Shemar Stewart | $4,742,319 |
| 18 | Grey Zabel | $4,617,865 |
| 19 | Emeka Egbuka | $4,543,183 |
| 20 | Jahdae Barron | $4,518,294 |
| 21 | Derrick Harmon | $4,493,401 |
| 22 | Omarion Hampton | $4,443,616 |
| 23 | Matthew Golden | $4,393,835 |
| 24 | Donovan Jackson | $4,294,264 |
| 25 | Jaxson Dart | $4,244,482 |
| 26 | James Pearce Jr. | $4,194,696 |
| 27 | Malaki Starks | $4,144,915 |
| 28 | Tyliek Williams | $4,120,023 |
| 29 | Josh Conerly Jr. | $3,920,274 |
| 30 | Maxwell Hairston | $3,814,496 |
| 31 | Jihaad Campbell | $3,725,894 |
| 32 | Josh Simmons | $3,668,839 |
While these are average annual value figures and Sorsby's reported $5 million deal is for the 2026 campaign, the table gives an idea of just how much NIL money a top college football player can command in the transfer portal. In 2026, Sorsby is set to earn more money than all but 15 first-rounders are set to earn on average in their respective rookie contracts.
Sorsby was already one of the highest-paid players in college football, as only Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith boasted higher NIL valuations, according to On3 Sports. His monster Texas Tech deal will only add to those riches.
Sorsby joins a fast-rising Texas Tech program that just won its first-ever Big 12 title and earned a first round bye before bowing out in its quarterfinal matchup against Oregon on New Year's Day.
In 12 games with the Bearcats, Sorsby completed 61.6% of his passes for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdown passes and five interceptions.
More College Football on Sports Illustrated
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- Inside Ole Miss’s Unprecedented College Football Playoff Run Amid Coaching Chaos
- Demond Williams Enters Transfer Portal After Signing Deal to Return to Washington
- Northwestern Lands Commitment of Big Ten Transfer QB to Start Under New OC Chip Kelly
- Ohio State Star Wide Receiver Carnell Tate Makes NFL Draft Decision
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby Set to Earn More Than Some First-Round NFL Draft Picks.
