NIL has become a significant aspect of college athletics, especially in college football. It enables athletes to financially benefit from their performance on the field.
The transfer portal has become a significant aspect of college sports. Several players have entered the portal in hopes of landing lucrative deals at other schools. Reportedly, three of the top quarterbacks in this class were able to secure substantial offers from their new programs.
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Former Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt, former Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby and former Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah all entered the transfer portal and found new homes.
Leavitt transferred to LSU, Sorsby moved to Texas Tech and Mensah headed to Miami. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, several general managers and staff members reported that these three players received the highest financial offers in the portal, with each securing around $5 million.
Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) warms up.© David Butler II-Imagn Images
(© David Butler II-Imagn Images)
“Of the 14 Power Four general managers and staffers On3 spoke with, three names were consistently mentioned across the board as the highest-paid quarterbacks from the transfer portal: Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby, LSU’s Sam Leavitt, and Miami’s Darian Mensah,” Nakos wrote. “On3 previously reported that Sorsby’s deal was over the $5 million mark, but sources emphasized to On3 that Leavitt and Mensah were in the same conversation.”
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These reported deals highlights just how valuable proven quarterback play has become in the NIL era. That near $5 million evaluation underscores a growing reality in college football: elite quarterbacks are now the most expensive assets in the transfer market. Programs aren’t just recruiting talent, they’re making financial bets on immediate impact players capable of transforming seasons overnight.
Looking ahead, these reported figures could further accelerate the financial arms race at the sport’s most important position. As more schools prioritize aggressive NIL strategies, quarterback contracts may continue climbing. Whether these investments translate to conference titles and playoff runs will ultimately determine if $5 million is the new standard, or simply the next escalation point in college football’s evolving marketplace.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
