High School NILs: How Much Money Is There, and Who’s Getting It?
If you listen to high school stadium chatter or scroll through recruiting news, it can feel like every elite prospect is driving a luxury sports car and sitting on a bank account bigger than their high school athletic budget.
Between news of seven-figure collective offers, national apparel endorsements, and sudden flip commitments, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has completely transformed the athletic landscape.
For recruits and families, the question is no longer if money is being spent—it’s how much money is actually out there, and who is getting it?
At CoachCheck.io, we take a "Reverse Recruiter" approach: stripping away rumors and headlines to look at real figures, contract mechanics, and roster realities. Here is a breakdown of where the money is concentrated and what high school athletes need to know.
1. The Top Tier: The $10 Million Benchmark
While average NIL compensation across all college sports sits in modest figures, the absolute top end of high school recruiting has escalated into professional-contract territory.
The current benchmark for a high school recruit commitment deal belongs to Bryce Underwood. As the No. 1 overall recruit in his class out of Belleville High School (MI), Underwood flipped his commitment to the University of Michigan after securing a landmark $10.5 million, 4-year NIL deal.
The Breakdown Behind the Headline
The Collective Structure ($10.5M): Brokered through Michigan’s primary collective (Champions Circle) and backed by high-profile donors, the contract pays out roughly $2.62 million per year.
National Endorsements: Beyond collective retention capital, Underwood signed prep endorsement agreements with major brands like Nike covering training gear and content distribution.
This multi-year contract model follows earlier historic precedents set by prospects like Jaden Rashada ($9.5M total deal package before his recruitment shifted) and Nico Iamaleava ($8M deal while finishing high school at Warren HS).
2. Who Else Is Getting Paid? High School Valuations (Classes of 2026 & 2027)
As more state high school athletic associations update their rules to allow high school athletes to profit from their NIL, multi-million dollar valuations are moving further down into younger recruiting classes.
High-profile prospects currently commanding top-tier valuations include:
Jackson Cantwell
OT (2026)
Nixa HS (MO)
$2.5M+ (Committed to Miami; represented by Rosenhaus Sports)
Honor Fa'alave-Johnson
ATH (2027)
Cathedral Catholic (CA)
$2.4M
David Gabriel Georges
RB (2027)
Baylor School (TN)
$2.0M
Elijah Haven
QB (2027)
Dunham School (LA)
$1.0M+ (Nike NIL Roster member)
Ryder Lyons
QB (2026)
Folsom HS (CA)
$1.0M+ (Backed by large social media following)
3. Position Scarcity: Where the Money Goes
The data shows a clear pattern in how NIL capital is distributed across positions:
Quarterbacks & Premier Edge/Tackles: Quarterbacks command the highest baseline figures because collectives view them as single-player franchise anchors. Elite offensive tackles and edge rushers follow closely behind due to on-field position scarcity.
Social Media Influencers: Athletes who build massive, highly engaged audiences on TikTok and Instagram generate commercial brand deals regardless of their recruiting rank or position.
The Majority Baseline: Beyond top 5-star recruits and major influencers, the vast majority of Division I student-athletes earn compensation through smaller local business promos, camp sponsorships, or regional collective stipends rather than six- or seven-figure contracts.
4. The Reverse Recruiter Reality Check
When evaluating recruiting offers, it is vital to separate real, enforceable agreements from verbal pitch promises.
Verbal vs. Contractual: A coach or recruiter claiming a program offers a "six-figure NIL package" is not an enforceable contract until the collective contract is presented, reviewed, and signed.
Pay-for-Play Rules: NCAA rules still prohibit direct "pay-for-play" inducements tied explicitly to on-field performance outcomes or school attendance, meaning contracts must be carefully structured around valid work or brand engagement requirements.
Tax & Compliance Obligations: Income generated through NIL agreements is subject to federal, state, and self-employment taxes. High school athletes must also ensure their agreements adhere to state high school athletic association rules to avoid risking prep eligibility.
How CoachCheck.io Helps You Navigate NIL
Navigating six-figure headline numbers requires hard data rather than speculation. CoachCheck.io gives recruits and families the compliance tools and market analytics needed to make informed choices:
NIL Market Pre-Check: Compare verbal promises against verified regional and positional market medians before committing.
Compliance & Eligibility Checks: Verify that proposed agreements adhere to state high school association rules and NCAA requirements.
Roster & Staff Analytics: Evaluate coaching stability and roster retention metrics to ensure your athletic opportunities match your financial goals.
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