Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ohio State starter Julian Sayin are reportedly set to earn around $2.5 million each in NIL money during the 2026 season. The figures quickly caught the attention of college football fans, with many questioning whether the quarterbacks are worth that price.
Arch Manning, Julian Sayin’s NIL Deals Spark Fan Reactions
According to college football insider Pete Nakos, both quarterbacks have NIL deals in the $2.5 million range this season. While the amount is not among the highest in the country, it still shows how much money is now involved in college football.
The deals also highlight the different factors that determine a player’s NIL value. On-field production matters, but a player’s name, popularity, and marketability can be just as important.
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Fans were quick to debate the valuations of both players.
Ashley Schaeffer took a shot at Manning’s production, writing, “Arch finished 6th last year in the SEC for passing yards behind an app state transfer who learned the playbook in 3 months $2.5M is a WILD overpay.”
Arch finished 6th last year in the SEC for passing yards behind an app state transfer who learned the playbook in 3 months
$2.5M is a WILD overpay
— Ashley Schaeffer Vol (@SchaefferVol) August 26, 2026
DJ joked about Manning’s future at Texas, writing, “Arch definitely utilizing 5th year option.”
Arch definitely utilizing 5th year option💀
— DJ🌰 (@dj2robinson) August 27, 2026
Vivian Mendez took a more humorous approach, saying, “I once lost $2,500 on a Manning quarterback. Now Texas loses $2.5 million on one. The family curse is hereditary and apparently inflation-adjusted.”
Another fan joked about the potential value of a college quarterback, writing, “I really should have been a mid College QB.”
Some reactions were much more direct. One fan simply wrote, “Both suck,” while another questioned the value of the deals by saying, “2.5 million just to go 8-4.”
2.5 million just to go 8-4 🥀
— Squid_Tha_Goat (@Jesus_Tha_Goat) August 26, 2026
Despite the criticism, both Manning and Sayin put together impressive campaigns in 2025.
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Sayin completed 77% of his passes for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions at Ohio State. He won his first 12 starts and finished the season as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Manning also delivered a productive season in his first full year as Texas’s starter. He threw for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 13 games while recording a 144.9 passer rating.
According to PFN’s CFB QB Impact Metric, Sayin posted an impact score of 90.8, ranking fourth at his position, while Manning’s 83.1 impact score placed him 37th in the nation.
Still, Manning enters 2026 with considerably more attention on his shoulders because of his family name and the enormous expectations that have followed him throughout his career.
Sayin, meanwhile, will look to build on his breakout season and prove that Ohio State’s investment can pay off on the field.
Both will be under the spotlight as they aim to justify their $2.5 million NIL deals.
