With transfer portals and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), college football is entering a new era. At Michigan, that holds true for these six players, some earning under $100k despite starting roles, who are starting their fall camp soon and are predicted to land bigger paychecks. 

Chase Taylor, Linebacker

Paycheck:  $180,615 

The Michigan Wolverines no longer have their three linebackers from last season, which opens the door for Chase Taylor. According to Trent Knoop’s prediction for Michigan on SI, Taylor is expected to start this season alongside other players such as Troy Bowles and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng. 

Based on the NIL Standard, Taylor’s NIL is around $350,000 less than that of Bowles and Owusu-Boateng. If Taylor fares well in his junior year, he is most certainly set to draw bigger checks.

Salesi Moa, Wide Receiver

Paycheck: $165,477 

A five-star prospect, Salesi Moa, is brought in to fix a critical issue from last season. He is expected to fix quarterback Bryce Underwood’s 28 dropped passes from 2025. 

He is the seventh-highest-paid Wolverines WR, falling behind Channing Goodwin, Jamar Browder, and Kendrick Bell. His chances to start are slim, as star Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan are in line. 

Since Marsh, Buchanan, and Ffrench are paid around $900,000 in NIL, Moa can expect a raise too.

CB Shamari Earls, Cornerback

Paycheck: $132,052 

As Shamari Earls enters the 2026 season healthy and recovered from his injury, he is likely to take up the No.4 roster spot. The cornerback’s freshman season came to an abrupt end, but he is believed to have a good run in his sophomore season. 

“If Michigan believes he is what it thinks he is, the NIL number will go way up,” Knoop wrote. 

Lugard Edokpayi, Edge

Paycheck: $115,893

In this season, Edokpayi is the seventh-highest-paid position player. John Henry Daley and Cameron Brandt’s NIL is over a million, and Carter Medow earns nearly $900,000. 

Regarded as a breakout player to watch out for this season, his NIL would skyrocket if he proves his worth on the field. 

Tommy Carr, Quarterback

Paycheck: $60,000 

Despite being the backup QB for the Wolverines after the Spring game, Carr is one of the lowest-paid players on their roster. 

“If Carr has a successful fall camp and plays behind Bryce Underwood, he would command a lot more money as a viable backup,” he wrote.

Alister Vallejo, Defensive Tackle

Paycheck: $75,000 

New head coach Kyle Whittingham’s era at Michigan begins this season. He believes that the defensive line is the strongest part of a team, and Vallejo is set to be an integral part of the unit.

“Vallejo was under-recruited as a high school prospect and he has a wrestling background,” Knoop wrote. “Vallejo has to show it at the collegiate level, but it wouldn't shock anyone if he becomes a mainstay on the Michigan defensive line next season after attrition at the top.”

If these players exceed their projected NIL paychecks, it would prove the program rewards high-level production.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community!

Written by

Akanksha Biradar