How much can one of the most hyped athletes in college sports lose after a shocking upset? Half a million, apparently. One miscue, one interception, and your NIL stock starts to dip. Week 7 was living proof. As the season hits its midpoint, we break down the biggest NIL movers from Week 7, according to On3’s latest player NIL rankings.

First, let’s look at the stars who took a hit before we highlight those who enjoyed a lucky week financially

1. Arch Manning 5.5M -> 5M (563K fall)

For the Texas golden boy, the price of fame just dipped. Arch Manning’s NIL stock took a 563K tumble after Texas got upset 29-21 by unranked Florida. No scandals, no off-field drama, just an old-fashioned on-field stumble. The young Manning entered the season as college football’s richest athlete at $6.8 million. Now, despite still sitting comfortably at No. 1 with $5 million, the shine has dulled a bit. 

Through five games, Arch Manning tossed for 1,100+ yards, 11 passing touchdowns, and five rushing scores. But two losses to Ohio State and Florida turned hype into hesitation. For a player once seen as untouchable, Week 7 proved even the Manning name can’t dodge a market correction.

2. Dylan Raiola 2.3M -> 2.2M (103K fall)

Nebraska’s young QB prodigy is living a strange double life. Millions in NIL but inconsistency on the field. His 194-yard, one-touchdown, one-interception showing against Michigan State was serviceable but not $3 million serviceable. Even his 45.7 grade from Pro Football Focus was a warning light. The Huskers won, but Dylan Raiola’s stock dipped slightly. In a sport where optics drive money, an ugly win doesn’t always mean a profitable week.

3. Josh Hoover 2.8M -> 2.5M (297K fall)

Josh Hoover had the kind of week that tests an athlete’s market patience. His four-touchdown night against Colorado was electric, but NIL memory is short. TCU’s earlier collapse against Arizona State, blowing a 17-point lead, still haunts his valuation. His 275 passing yards didn’t erase the sting of that previous loss, which knocked him and the Horned Frogs out of national relevance for now.

4. Sam Leavitt 2.1M -> 2M (121K fall)

Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt looked sharp against TCU, throwing for 291 yards and two touchdowns. But it’s been a rocky road. After a brutal Mississippi State loss (10-for-22, 82 yards, two picks), his NIL value slid again. The Sun Devils’ inconsistency mirrors the QB’s own, with flashes of brilliance and flashes of “what was that?” HC Kenny Dillingham swears the kid is finding rhythm, but the market hasn’t fully bought back in yet.

5. Taylen Green 2.2M -> 2.1M (125K fall)

Arkansas thought Taylen Green was the answer. Instead, he’s become a case study in how fast hype fades. Three straight losses to Ole Miss, Memphis, and Notre Dame dragged both the Razorbacks and the QBs’ NIL down. Once leading a top-15 offense, the Hogs’ unit has scored just 10 points after halftime across three games. NIL isn’t patient, and right now, his truck endorsement might be his best-performing asset.

Other NIL standouts this week (fall)

Penn State’s Drew Allar saw his NIL take a hit, falling from $2.2M to $1.7 M, a $462k drop. Nee Mexico’s State’s quarterback Diego Pavia also slipped, his valuation dropping from $1.8 M to $1.7M ($137k fall) amid a midseason lull. Even Dante Moore, despite a 5-0 record, wasn’t immune. After a 30-24 double-overtime thriller against Penn State, his NIL slid from 1.6M to $1.5M ($141k fall). Three QBs, three different stories, one reality: momentum moves money.

Now, let’s turn to the stars who saw a rise in their NIL value this week (arranged in order of their current valuations).

1. Darian Mensah 3M -> 3.3M (337K jump)

You don’t often see a QB turn down Power 4 giants to play for Duke. But Darian Mensah isn’t your typical transfer. The Tulane-to-Duke move was one of the wildest portal decisions of the offseason, and now it’s paying literal dividends. Reports claim his NIL deal could be worth $8 million over two years, though insiders say the number’s incentive-heavy. Still, even a conservative $3 million puts him among the sport’s elite earners. 

Darian Mensah got his own house, a Mercedes, and even bought a Dodge Charger for his mom. He even started a foundation for young athletes in his hometown. After throwing for 265 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-21 win over Cal, his stock climbed again. NIL is about narrative, and right now, he reads as a humble guy who makes big-time moves and proves everyone wrong.

2. Ryan Williams 2.5M -> 2.6M (68K jump)

Alabama’s Ryan Williams is more of a brand ambassador in cleats. The preseason All-American has 21 catches for 336 yards and three touchdowns, and a deal sheet longer than some NFL rookies. Nike, Beats by Dre. EA Sports. Hollister, and now, New Era. You name it, he’s got it.

Ryan Williams became the face of their national NIL campaign alongside stars from Syracuse, UConn, and Kansas. The Crimson Tide, meanwhile, is finding its groove again, riding a four-game win streak back into the top ten.

3. Cade Klubnik 2.1M-> 2.3M (171K jump)

When Clemson started 1-3, even Dabo Swinney called it “a coaching failure.” The offense was lifeless, the fanbase restless, and Cade Klubnik’s NIL value plummeted over $1 million. Then, in Week 6, Batman returned. The QB torched North Carolina, going 22-of-24 for 254 yards and four touchdowns in a statement win. Now, the Tigers’ QB is on the upswing again, both in morale and money.

4. CJ Bailey 2.1M -> 2.2M (96K jump)

CJ Bailey might not have a Nike deal or Gatorade commercial, but he’s got loyalty, and that counts for something. The NC State QB stayed put after signing a deal with the school’s collective, One Pack, which likely kept bigger programs at bay. His four-touchdown, 337-yard performance against Campbell showed why the Wolfpack invested in him. 

CJ Bailey’s 87% completion rate was elite-level efficient, and his calm post-game comment summed it up. “Just staying consistent throughout the game,” he said. “Those first halves in all of the games, I’ve been damn-near perfect. I just want to continue to have that in the second half, just staying the same. Being consistent.”

5. DJ Lagway 1.8M -> 1.9M (73K jump)

No one had a better Week 7 story than DJ Lagway. The freshman QB led Florida’s 29-21 upset over No. 9 Texas, completing 21-of-28 for 298 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that up by announcing a new NIL deal with Mercedes-Benz of Gainesville through his Instagram post. From unranked chaos to a luxury partnership in a week. NIL goldmines.

Other NIL standouts this week (jump)

Ty Simpson and Sawyer Robertson both saw their NIL values rise this week. Ty Simpson jumped from $1.5M to $1.9M ($439K rise) thanks to Alabama’s offensive revival, quietly building trust and cashing in with each big throw. Sawyer Robertson followed suit, rising from $1.6M to $1.8M ($156K rise) as steady play and growing confidence finally made consistency his ally.