Best NIL Deals for College Athletes in 2025: Top Campaigns to Know

In just a short time, the NIL Club has grown from serving 20,000 student-athletes to a community of more than 100,000. Engagement is at an all-time high. Fans on social media are more active, more vocal, and more excited than ever to support the athletes they follow.

This energy has created the perfect moment to launch our new Brand Deals feature. For the first time, athletes can connect directly with companies through the NIL Club app. Some of the most recognized names in business, including Amazon and SoFi, are currently offering NIL opportunities. These partnerships provide athletes with the opportunity to align with brands that align with their goals and target audience.

With football season kicking off, it is the right time to look back at the most successful NIL campaigns shaping the 2025 college sports landscape. These stories demonstrate what is possible when talent, personality, and opportunity converge.

Arch Manning is carrying one of the most famous family names in football, and he’s proving he belongs in the spotlight. Through ten games in 2025, he has already thrown for 2,800 yards and 22 touchdowns. That production has made him a projected first-round NFL pick and a fan favorite in Austin and beyond.

His NIL portfolio reflects that stature. A $50,000 deal with EA Sports tied to NCAA College Football 25, along with campaigns for Red Bull, Uber, and Panini America, has put him in front of both national and local audiences. Red Bull leans on its appeal to younger fans, Uber runs promotions built for the Austin market, and Panini taps into collectors who want a piece of the Manning name. With more than 430,000 followers on Instagram and 73,000 on X, Manning blends football pedigree with social reach in a way few college athletes can match.

AJ Dybantsa walked onto campus at BYU with the weight of enormous expectations, and he has delivered. The top recruit in the class of 2025 is averaging 18.5 points and 6.2 rebounds, and he already looks like the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

His NIL journey has been just as impressive. BYU’s collective secured him with a deal worth between $5 and $7 million, one of the largest packages in college basketball. Add Nike’s “Future Game” campaign and a partnership with Red Bull, and it’s clear brands are betting big on his potential. With 542,000 followers on Instagram and another 277,000 on TikTok, Dybantsa has quickly become a marketing magnet for both national and local audiences.

The moment Darian Mensah arrived at Duke in 2024, the conversation around NIL changed. His transfer from Tulane came with an $8 million collective deal, the largest in college football. It was more than just a contract; it marked a turning point in how schools and boosters approached the business side of the game.

On the field, he has backed it up, throwing for 2,200 yards and 18 touchdowns through nine games in 2025. Mensah’s social following is relatively modest, 28,000 on Instagram and 1,600 on X, but the scale of his deal has made him a symbol of how far NIL has come in just a few short years.

DJ Lagway is quickly becoming the face of Florida football. After a solid 2024, he has exploded in 2025, throwing for 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first ten games. That production has fueled Gator fans’ hopes and boosted his stock with brands.

Lagway’s deals showcase the range of NIL opportunities available today. He has worked with local car dealerships and apparel companies around Gainesville, and has also started securing national partnerships as his name gains recognition. His 106,000 Instagram followers and 44,000 on X amplify those campaigns, giving him both hometown loyalty and a national presence. It’s a mix that fits the energy of Florida’s fan base and his rising profile as a draft prospect.

Flau’jae Johnson has found a rare balance between sports and music. On the court, she’s averaging 16.8 points and 5.2 assists, making her one of the top guards in the SEC. Off the court, she’s signed with Roc Nation and is building a career as a hip-hop artist.

Her brand deals tie both worlds together. JBL uses her original music in its ads, Powerade highlights her relentless play on the court, and Taco Bell has leaned into her TikTok presence with content aimed at Gen Z. Johnson’s reach is massive, with 1.9 million followers on Instagram and 1.6 million on TikTok, and she has used it to position herself as a cultural figure, not just an athlete.

Cade Klubnik has grown into Clemson’s steady hand at quarterback. In 2025, he threw for 2,600 yards and 24 touchdowns, keeping the Tigers competitive in the ACC.

His NIL work matches that consistency. Klubnik has partnered with Cheez-It, Palmetto Autographs, Famously Garnet Sports, and Garnet Trust. The Cheez-It campaigns lean on humor and fan energy, while his local partnerships support community events across South Carolina. With 114,000 followers on Instagram and 29,000 on X, Klubnik represents the model of a player who blends national recognition with deep regional ties.

Juju Watkins is turning USC into must-watch basketball. She’s averaging 25.4 points and 6.1 rebounds this season, numbers that put her among the best players in the country.

Her NIL presence is just as strong. Nike is positioning her as one of the faces of the future of the women’s game, Gatorade is celebrating her work ethic, and NerdWallet has tapped her for a financial literacy campaign aimed at young audiences. With more than 300,000 Instagram followers and another 50,000 on X, Watkins is showing how athletic dominance and meaningful messaging can go hand in hand.

Hannah Hidalgo has become the sparkplug for the Notre Dame team. She’s averaging 23.1 points and 5.8 assists, and she brings a level of energy that’s impossible to ignore.

Her partnerships match her personality. Under Armour uses her in high-performance campaigns, Gatorade celebrates her relentless drive, and Sprite showcases her bright, upbeat spirit. She has about 250,000 Instagram followers and 100,000 on TikTok, and her content feels genuine, which is why fans and brands alike connect with her. Hidalgo’s NIL path demonstrates how authenticity and energy can make an athlete a natural fit for major companies.

Jalon Walker has grown into a defensive anchor for Georgia. In 2025, he piled up 62 tackles and nine sacks, building on the momentum from last year.

His NIL presence is just as strong. Beats by Dre highlights his pre-game rituals, while Zaxby’s leans on his connection to SEC fans. With 80,000 Instagram followers and another 25,000 on X, Walker blends Georgia’s national dominance with a personal edge that resonates across audiences. His appeal stretches from the locker room to living rooms across the South.

Sarah Strong arrived at UConn with enormous expectations as the No. 1 recruit of 2025, and she hasn’t disappointed. Averaging 15.2 points and 7.4 rebounds, she has stepped right into a major role for the Huskies.

Her early NIL deals include Nike and Dunkin’ Donuts. Nike is already promoting her as part of the next wave of women’s basketball, while Dunkin’ builds on her appeal in New England. With 150,000 Instagram followers and 75,000 on TikTok, Strong is showing how quickly a freshman can become both a star on the court and a name brands want to work with.

Carson Beck has given Georgia stability at quarterback, throwing for more than 3,100 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2025. His calm leadership has kept the Bulldogs in the playoff conversation.

That steady presence has carried into his NIL partnerships. He’s featured in campaigns with Leaf Trading Cards, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and the Classic City Collective. Moe’s uses him in fan-focused ads around Georgia, while Leaf taps into the collectible market. With about 120,000 followers on Instagram and 40,000 on X, Beck connects directly with Bulldog fans while also appealing to national audiences. He has become both a local favorite and a recognizable figure in the NIL space.

Olivia Dunne remains one of the most influential athletes in college sports. With 8 million TikTok and 5.3 million Instagram followers, her reach is unmatched.

Her partnerships include Vuori, American Eagle, and Grubhub. Vuori highlights her fitness routines, American Eagle leans into lifestyle content, and Grubhub taps into the college student market. Dunne’s campaigns work because they connect gymnastics with mainstream culture, blending athleticism, fashion, and entertainment in a way few others can match.

Azzi Fudd remains a cornerstone for the University of Connecticut. In 2025, she averaged 16.7 points and 4.3 assists, showing resilience after past injuries.

Her partnerships include Chipotle, BioSteel, and Bose. Chipotle leans into fan-driven promotions, BioSteel ties her to performance nutrition, and Bose highlights her game-day prep. With 200,000 Instagram and 80,000 TikTok followers, Fudd’s campaigns succeed by combining her comeback story with UConn’s storied basketball tradition.

Paige Bueckers has become one of the most recognizable names in women’s basketball. In 2025, she averaged 20.3 points and 5.1 assists, leading UConn both on and off the court.

Her partnerships include Gatorade, Nike, and Bose. Gatorade highlights her leadership, Nike continues to elevate her as a women’s basketball icon, and Bose positions her in lifestyle and performance campaigns. With 1 million Instagram followers and 400,000 on TikTok, Bueckers merges national prominence with authentic fan engagement.

Quinn Ewers has grown into the face of Texas football. In 2025, he threw for more than 3,200 yards and 27 touchdowns, showing the consistency that Longhorn fans have been waiting for.

Off the field, his name carries weight with brands. With around 95,000 followers on Instagram and 35,000 on X, Ewers is reaching both local fans and national audiences. His value comes from that balance, Texas pride at home, and recognition across the country.

That same idea is what drives NIL Club. Athletes can now find verified offers and work directly with companies to create real partnerships. Fans also get to be part of the journey, with the chance to support their favorite players and unlock exclusive content. Exciting new deals are on the way from brands like LoveShackFancy, Acorns, Revolut, Gatorade, Ulta Beauty, and many more.

NIL is no longer an experiment. It has become part of the culture of college sports. NIL Club has grown to more than 100,000 athletes, and fan engagement is at its highest point yet. With the new Brand Deals feature, athletes can take the next step in shaping their futures, while fans get even closer to the players they love.

Download the app today, support your favorite athletes, and enjoy the exclusive content they are creating for their communities.