A Tale of Two Ohio State Stars: One Dips, One Soars

Julian Sayin's star power took a small hit recently. His name, image, and likeness (NIL) value dropped by $100, 000, landing at $2. 4 million. This dip came right after Indiana's national championship win. Even though Sayin is considered the top quarterback in the country, his NIL value doesn't always reflect his on-field performance. NIL values can be tricky. They don't always follow a clear pattern or reason. For example, Arch Manning had a rough season but still has the highest NIL value at $5. 4 million. Brand value and social media presence also play a big role. Sayin has a strong social media game with 199, 000 Instagram followers and millions of impressions from his Heisman campaign posts.Despite the dip, Sayin's rise has been impressive. He started the season at $1. 1 million and quickly climbed to $2. 5 million before this small drop. While Sayin's value took a slight hit, his teammate Jeremiah Smith is soaring high. Smith was named the most dominant wide receiver of 2025 and ranked No. 8 overall in ESPN's top 100 players list. He's had an incredible journey, breaking Ohio State records as a freshman and continuing to shine in his second season. Smith's NIL value now sits at $4. 2 million, the highest among wide receivers and third-highest among all college athletes. Smith's success shows how quickly things can change in college football. One moment, you're a top recruit, and the next, you're a superstar with a massive NIL value. It's a reminder that performance, brand, and social media presence all play a role in an athlete's success.