Michigan's Top NIL Players Entering College Football Playoff

CFP's number one seed, Wolverines can benefit in NIL valuations

The Michigan Wolverines are the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

While the CFP matchup is the main event, there is an opportunity for Michigan players to boost their value in Name, Image and Likeness, especially if they expect to return to college football in 2024.

These players will be on the biggest stage in the game and NIL offers them a chance to leverage that attention and benefit financially — especially those are in the Top 5 in valuation among Wolverine players, per On3.com.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has the highest valuation of any Wolverine at $1.3 million.

He put together a solid season in helping the Wolverines with the Big Ten title. He threw for 2,630 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s hoping for a little redemption after a sub-par performance in last year’s CFP semifinal against TCU.

McCarthy, like most Michigan athletes, receives some NIL help from The Champions Circle Collective. But he also reportedly has deals with Bose, Alo Yoga, Topps, Essentia Water and shares in a team deal with Wolverine Boots.

Running back Blake Corum is second in valuation at $838,000. He’s been one of the best athletes at leveraging his NIL, with recent deals that include The Detroit Garage and Peloton.

With his next touchdown run, Corum will be the program’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns. This season he has had a career season with 24 rushing touchdowns, along with 1,028 yards.

Cornerback Mike Sainristil has the team’s third-highest valuation going into the CFP at $556,000. The senior produced a career season with five interceptions, along with 30 tackles and two sacks. He also scored two touchdowns.

Sainristil's most recent deal was one with the M Den, which released 100 autographed trading cards which featured his pick-six against Rutgers.

Another senior, Roman Wilson, has the fourth-highest valuation at $532,000. Like Sainristil, he’s having his best season as a Wolverine. He’s caught 42 passes this season, with 667 yards and a career-best 11 touchdowns.

Wilson also has his own trading card series with the M Den, along with deals with CeraVe Skin Care.

Rounding out the Top 5 in valuations is sophomore tight end Colston Loveland, with a valuation of $454,000. In his second season in Ann Arbor, his numbers on the field have taken a big bump, with 40 receptions for 572 yards and four touchdowns. 

He has an M Den deal for trading cards and also has a partnership with the Randy Wise Automotive Team.