The Grass Isn't Always Greener: NIL Recipients Lose Millions Declaring For Draft

Written By John Ewald

The NIL era raises a newfound dilemma for draft-eligible players. In the past, any player graded by scouts as draft-worthy talent would be all but a guarantee to declare, unless strong loyalty to their universities swayed them into finishing their degrees. In today's landscape, staying in college and continuing to reap the profound benefits of NIL sponsorships proves advantageous for some prospects. This year's draft put the spotlight on NIL and the tough decision facing young players regarding whether to enter the draft, possibly at the expense of millions in NIL revenue, or stay put. Shedeur Sanders undoubtedly highlights the group of individuals who were best served to return to school, but there are a few others that might surprise you.

1. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

It's estimated Quinn Ewers lost out on 8 million dollars declaring for the draft. While the Texas standout was ineligible to return to Austin for the Horns, he was eligible to enter the transfer portal as a grad transfer. This would have made him the most sought-after talent in the portal. While he was not expected to be a first-round selection, his plummet to the seventh round left him with a rookie deal worth a fraction of his NIL valuation. While Ewers possesses many of the intangibles required to perform at a high level in the NFL, he would have, from strictly a financial perspective, been far better off staying in college.

2. Ollie Gordon III, RB, Oklahoma State

Many scouts had Ollie Gordon at the very top of their draft boards going into the 2024-2025 season, as well as an odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. His season proved disastrous, as he struggled to stay healthy and his squad limped through the Big XII. Gordon fell to the sixth round and was eligible to return to Oklahoma State which would have guaranteed him to be the highest-paid college running back.

3. Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas

Isaiah Bond was on top of the world after securing one of the most improbable touchdowns on a 4th and 31 during his time at Alabama and taking down bitter rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl. His decision to transfer to Texas absolutely enhanced his NIL valuation. While his career at Texas was not eye-opening, he pieced together what many scouts believed to be a solid NFL draft stock. Sexual assault allegations caused him to go undrafted, and no team has wanted to touch him with his legal situation pending, proving his best asset was to stay in college and benefit from his NIL compensation, rather than be without a team. 

4. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

There has not been a public humiliation more profound in recent memory than Shedeur Sanders's free fall in the draft. Sanders's NIL profile is sitting at the very top of all NIL athletes next to Livvy Dunne, yet his talent was undeniable, and he was projected to go early in the first round. His plummet lost him tens of millions, and a return to Colorado would have reestablished his significant NIL sponsors. It appears that both Sanders' induction into the Colorado Football Hall of Fame and his first-round draft grade by scouts were both premature, as Sanders had an estimated $6.5M NIL valuation, as opposed to his four-year, $4.8M deal with the Browns.  


John Ewald
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