Caleb Williams: How much NIL money will USC's quarterback make in his junior year?

'Williams may just be the most marketable college football player'

With athletes now being able to profit off of their name, image and likeness, some of the top returning college football players are set to get paid.

Caleb Williams, the USC Trojans' starting quarterback and the No. 1 returning player in college football, signed multiple NIL deals prior to his sophomore season at this time last year. Now going into his junior year with a Heisman Trophy in his collection, Williams' market is even bigger.

On Wednesday, On3.com's College Sports Business Reporter Pete Nakos released his updated NIL Valuations and Williams came in at No. 5 overall with an estimated worth of $2.6 million. 

"Caleb Williams may just be the most marketable college football player" Nakos wrote. "He recently wrapped up his first season in Los Angles. Since making the move to the West Coast more than a year ago, he has pieced together one of the strongest NIL resumes of any player in the country. Sure, he’s aligned with notable brands, such as Athletic Brewing Company, Fanatics, AT&T, Beats by Dre and AC+ION Water. But he is also developing into a fashion star. He wore an adidas x Gucci suit at the Heisman Ceremony. He recently signed a partnership with Alo Yoga, which describes itself as clothing for the studio, along with streetwear. When he was on spring break in Miami, he landed an invitation to walk the Hugo Boss fashion show. For all of the NIL success, Williams has accomplished more on the field. A win in the Pac-12 title game would have put USC in the College Football Playoff game. He finished his sophomore season ranked No. 1 in the country with 42 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions. The quarterback threw for 4,537 yards, while rushing for another 10 touchdowns."

HOW MUCH WOULD WILLIAMS HAVE MADE IF HE WAS NFL DRAFT ELIGIBLE?

With college players having to suit up for three years prior to declaring for the draft, Williams had no choice but to return to USC for the 2023 season. 

Pro Football Focused predicted that if every college player from last season was eligible for the draft, Williams would have gone No. 1 overall in April.

Last season, Georgia’s Travon Walker was selected No. 1 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He signed a rookie contract worth $41.4 million that included a $27.3 million signing bonus. After the bonus, Walker's annual salary is $3.5 million. 

Williams will most likely be paid a similar amount in 2024.