'26 NC QB Faizon Brandon (Tennessee commit)

[benholt06]

Give me evidence of highly paid guys sitting on the bench? Here's the average rate for starters at each position according to a report from ESPN: College football 2025: How much does each position cost?

Who are the $2 million/yr QBs sitting on the bench? Who are the $1 million/yr offensive tackles sitting on the bench? Bryce Underwood is getting paid $3 mil/yr and is starting as a true freshman. Also it's been rumored David Sanders Jr. is getting around $1 mil/yr and he's projected to start as a true freshman. By most accounts they were the two highest paid recruits in the 2025 class.

The guys who get paid the most will be expected to earn that salary on the field not sitting on the bench.

Nico Iamaleava. Had to look a long way for that one.
Any high ranked QB in the last 5 year who hasn’t started immediately. What are you talking about?

It’s real simple.

Get talent on campus.
Best player for the offense wins job.
Revisit money.

You can’t run a program with "what if he gets mad and transfers" hanging over you. How have we as a fan base not learned that this offseason. You have to earn the job no matter what you make. We told a guy to kick rocks because he thought middling at best production earned him a pay raise. It hadn’t. Now he took a pay cut. We are trying to at minimum re-create his production with Joey.

We will see what happens for 26. Will they hit porthole for some experience? Will they hand the keys to 3rd year Jake or more likely 2nd year George? Some will be clamoring for Faizon immediately. Ideally he gets a year to acclimate. Salary non-dependent.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

You’ve named 2 players. What about every other 5* QB from the ‘25 class of which none of them are starting this year?

If the average for QB is $1-2 M, more than just Underwood would be around $2M or above, yes?

I doubt any other 5-star QB is getting paid $2 mil/yr (which is the going rate for a decent QB in the Big 10 or SEC). Someone earlier brought up Keelon Russell who finished as the #2 overall recruit in the country. What they didn't remember is he only moved up the rankings late in the process. Before that he was an average 4-star QB committed to SMU. Bama came calling and he flew up the rankings. So despite being a high 5-star its unlikely Bama had to pay him a crazy bag given how underrated he was early on.

We know from some leaked sources that David Sanders is in the $1-1.5 million dollar range. And there was that ACC source that claimed he was the highest paid recruit this past cycle (which obviously isn't true if you include Bryce Underwood). Nonetheless his salary is probably a good barometer of what the highest paid recruits are getting. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a record number of true freshman starting this year for teams. Especially the highly paid 5-stars.

I guarantee you that highly paid 5-stars sitting on the bench will be the exception going forward not the rule. If college teams are forced to pay guys millions in recruiting. They will expect an immediate return on that sort of investment.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

We will see what happens for 26. Will they hit porthole for some experience? Will they hand the keys to 3rd year Jake or more likely 2nd year George? Some will be clamoring for Faizon immediately. Ideally he gets a year to acclimate. Salary non-dependent.

Rosters in 2026 are likely to cost at least $20 million a year. Faizon is probably going to cost close to $2 million. You really think the people paying these huge salaries are gonna he okay with the guy taking up 10% of the team salary sitting on the bench?

Now let's say MacIntyre or Merklinger are so good next year that we have no choice but to play them. That means they'll likely want $2 mil/yr as well cause how can a stud starting QB at the University of Tennessee make less than a true freshman backup. So that would mean 20% of the cap taken up by just one position on the field out of 22 starters. Wouldn't the logical move be to free up that 10% sitting on the bench and use it on an actual player who can help you win?

There's a reason NFL teams don't carry two franchise QBs on a roster. It would be cost prohibitive. Same thing will apply in college. Only one QB can get paid big money on a roster. So its either gonna be Faizon or MacIntyre/Merklinger. It won't be both.

 

[benholt06]

Rosters in 2026 are likely to cost at least $20 million a year. Faizon is probably going to cost close to $2 million. You really think the people paying these huge salaries are gonna he okay with the guy taking up 10% of the team salary sitting on the bench?

Now let's say MacIntyre or Merklinger are so good next year that we have no choice but to play them. That means they'll likely want $2 mil/yr as well cause how can a stud starting QB at the University of Tennessee make less than a true freshman backup. So that would mean 20% of the cap taken up by just one position on the field out of 22 starters. Wouldn't the logical move be to free up that 10% sitting on the bench and use it on an actual player who can help you win?

There's a reason NFL teams don't carry two franchise QBs on a roster. It would be cost prohibitive. Same thing will apply in college. Only one QB can get paid big money on a roster. So its either gonna be Faizon or MacIntyre/Merklinger. It won't be both.

Right.. like Ewers and Arch Manning were never on the same roster. Like Will Howard and Julian Sayin weren’t on the same roster. One of those guys is likely to transfer, but if not, we’ll have 2. One playing, one waiting in the wings. That’s kinda how it works. This is not the NFL for the umpteenth time dude.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

Right.. like Ewers and Arch Manning were never on the same roster. Like Will Howard and Julian Sayin weren’t on the same roster. One of those guys is likely to transfer, but if not, we’ll have 2. One playing, one waiting in the wings. That’s kinda how it works. This is not the NFL for the umpteenth time dude.

Arch Manning is a unique case. He's likely to stay all 4 years even if he's projected to be the 1st overall pick like Peyton. The plan from that family was to have him sit. Ohio State spent 20 million on that roster last year. They're not exactly the most cost conscious bunch. We've proven with Nico that we are cost conscious.

I'm just telling you what's likely to happen going forward in most cases. Now if we want to spent 20% of our roster salary on 2 QBs then so be it. I'm just guessing we won't be that irresponsible with our money. If we're gonna go all-in on a QB I'm expecting it'll be a guy who we think can play right away. Otherwise spending 10% of your salary cap on a backup is not a wise business choice.

 

[MarcoVol]

Arch Manning is a unique case. He's likely to stay all 4 years even if he's projected to be the 1st overall pick like Peyton. The plan from that family was to have him sit. Ohio State spent 20 million on that roster last year. They're not exactly the most cost conscious bunch. We've proven with Nico that we are cost conscious.

I'm just telling you what's likely to happen going forward in most cases. Now if we want to spent 20% of our roster salary on 2 QBs then so be it. I'm just guessing we won't be that irresponsible with our money. If we're gonna go all-in on a QB I'm expecting it'll be a guy who we think can play right away. Otherwise spending 10% of your salary cap on a backup is not a wise business choice.

Arch came out and said he doesn’t know where Archie got that (on him staying for next year if he balls out this year).

 

[volfan411]

Arch Manning is a unique case. He's likely to stay all 4 years even if he's projected to be the 1st overall pick like Peyton. The plan from that family was to have him sit. Ohio State spent 20 million on that roster last year. They're not exactly the most cost conscious bunch. We've proven with Nico that we are cost conscious.

I'm just telling you what's likely to happen going forward in most cases. Now if we want to spent 20% of our roster salary on 2 QBs then so be it. I'm just guessing we won't be that irresponsible with our money. If we're gonna go all-in on a QB I'm expecting it'll be a guy who we think can play right away. Otherwise spending 10% of your salary cap on a backup is not a wise business choice.

And I think you are being conservative in 20% estimate. I believe an upper level SEC QB is going to cost in the 3-4 million range soon.

 

[utvolmaniac]

Volcam captures D4H

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

I doubt any other 5-star QB is getting paid $2 mil/yr (which is the going rate for a decent QB in the Big 10 or SEC). Someone earlier brought up Keelon Russell who finished as the #2 overall recruit in the country. What they didn't remember is he only moved up the rankings late in the process. Before that he was an average 4-star QB committed to SMU. Bama came calling and he flew up the rankings. So despite being a high 5-star its unlikely Bama had to pay him a crazy bag given how underrated he was early on.

We know from some leaked sources that David Sanders is in the $1-1.5 million dollar range. And there was that ACC source that claimed he was the highest paid recruit this past cycle (which obviously isn't true if you include Bryce Underwood). Nonetheless his salary is probably a good barometer of what the highest paid recruits are getting. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a record number of true freshman starting this year for teams. Especially the highly paid 5-stars.

I guarantee you that highly paid 5-stars sitting on the bench will be the exception going forward not the rule. If college teams are forced to pay guys millions in recruiting. They will expect an immediate return on that sort of investment.

You don’t know what every QB is getting paid.

 

[Jackcrevol]

You don’t know what every QB is getting paid.

I bet @Ericvol2096 knows

 

[WesTnVol]

Marco, air day.View attachment 766803

My first video game

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

Arch came out and said he doesn’t know where Archie got that (on him staying for next year if he balls out this year).

That's called keeping your options open when negotiating. If Texas knows he's coming back no matter what next year he can't squeeze them for the most money possible this offseason. Its smart business to always have a plausible out.

You think his grandad doesn't know the plan? Everybody in the family knows what the plan was for Arch's long term success. Also its possible if the right team has the 1st pick they do leave.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

You don’t know what every QB is getting paid.

I posted the link from an ESPN story that ran this week showing what each position group is getting paid on average. They basically said there isn't a starting power 5 QB making less than $1 million/yr. The very top guys in the country like Carson Beck are getting $3 mil. We know Nico was at $2 mil with us.

No one is gonna pay a true freshman more money than most Power 4 starting QBs just to sit on the bench.

 

[LouderVol]

Just a point of clarification, Dart is not starting for the Giants, at least not to open the season. Russell Wilson is the named starter. Dart has certainly been impressive in the preseason, though.

fair point, thanks for pointing that out.

 

[LouderVol]

I doubt any other 5-star QB is getting paid $2 mil/yr (which is the going rate for a decent QB in the Big 10 or SEC). Someone earlier brought up Keelon Russell who finished as the #2 overall recruit in the country. What they didn't remember is he only moved up the rankings late in the process. Before that he was an average 4-star QB committed to SMU. Bama came calling and he flew up the rankings. So despite being a high 5-star its unlikely Bama had to pay him a crazy bag given how underrated he was early on.

We know from some leaked sources that David Sanders is in the $1-1.5 million dollar range. And there was that ACC source that claimed he was the highest paid recruit this past cycle (which obviously isn't true if you include Bryce Underwood). Nonetheless his salary is probably a good barometer of what the highest paid recruits are getting. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a record number of true freshman starting this year for teams. Especially the highly paid 5-stars.

I guarantee you that highly paid 5-stars sitting on the bench will be the exception going forward not the rule. If college teams are forced to pay guys millions in recruiting. They will expect an immediate return on that sort of investment.

I think to some extent you are getting the cart before the horse here.

I am willing to bet most schools and coaches aren't starting someone because they make 2 million dollars. I am willing to bet its more likely they got those players to start, and are thus worthy of 2 million dollars.

and I am really curious about how these contracts are written, especially now that the schools paying for play is legal. I would imagine we see some type of performance scale added. like you agree before the season they get 2 million for starting quality play, 1.5 if they start but aren't great, 1 million if you are the key back up, so on and so forth. A lot of the time you do see them say the deal is worth "up to 4 million dollars". good way to protect the school while incentivizing the player.

 

[jasonvol18]

Give me evidence of highly paid guys sitting on the bench? Here's the average rate for starters at each position according to a report from ESPN: College football 2025: How much does each position cost?

Who are the $2 million/yr QBs sitting on the bench? Who are the $1 million/yr offensive tackles sitting on the bench? Bryce Underwood is getting paid $3 mil/yr and is starting as a true freshman. Also it's been rumored David Sanders Jr. is getting around $1 mil/yr and he's projected to start as a true freshman. By most accounts they were the two highest paid recruits in the 2025 class.

The guys who get paid the most will be expected to earn that salary on the field not sitting on the bench.

There's probably not many, but Nico was one his TRue FR year. Keelon Russell(Ala,Julian Lewis( Colo) are close to, if not over 2 million and aren't starting, barring injuries.

 

[miket4god]

I think to some extent you are getting the cart before the horse here.

I am willing to bet most schools and coaches aren't starting someone because they make 2 million dollars. I am willing to bet its more likely they got those players to start, and are thus worthy of 2 million dollars.

and I am really curious about how these contracts are written, especially now that the schools paying for play is legal. I would imagine we see some type of performance scale added. like you agree before the season they get 2 million for starting quality play, 1.5 if they start but aren't great, 1 million if you are the key back up, so on and so forth. A lot of the time you do see them say the deal is worth "up to 4 million dollars". good way to protect the school while incentivizing the player.

Not sure about with revenue sharing, but with the previous NIL deals this was illegal. You could not include performance in the deal whatsoever.
I think the "up to 4 million" is that there will be opportunities for that person to make more depending on the number of appearances they perform. So they could do x number of appearances for $x or x+y number of appearances for $x+y up to a total of 4 million or whatever.

 

[csprig9]

Haha looks like some of you guys got roped into the @Dobbs 4 Heisman discussion of throwing **** at a wall and see what sticks then self claiming he’s smarter then everyone with the one piece that does in fact stick
He/she would argue with a toddler to prove himself/herself right and the argue that water isn’t wet

 

[SmyrnaATLVolisback]

The guy seems to think this is the NFL. You have roster full of high paid guys sitting the bench in college because that’s how it works. Impact freshmen are more the exception than the rule.

It’s becoming the nfl. Teams are getting younger and younger now. Give it a few more years. UGA, Tennessee, and many other top teams are very young. Have to play what you pay for.

 

[MarcoVol]

It’s becoming the nfl. Teams are getting younger and younger now. Give it a few more years. UGA, Tennessee, and many other top teams are very young. Have to play what you pay for.

Just a projected depth chart but UGA has 17 of 22 projected starters that are JR or older. May be young/new to UGA but not young.

Vols will prob have 13-14.

 

[benholt06]

It’s becoming the nfl. Teams are getting younger and younger now. Give it a few more years. UGA, Tennessee, and many other top teams are very young. Have to play what you pay for.

It seems that way because of the money, but it isn’t. Different sport. Different way to replenish talent on your roster. And roster is double the size, and you still have to carry both the present and future of your football team on it.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

There's probably not many, but Nico was one his TRue FR year. Keelon Russell(Ala,Julian Lewis( Colo) are close to, if not over 2 million and aren't starting, barring injuries.

Highly unlikely Keelon Russell is making much above $1 million. Remember he vaulted up the recruiting rankings late. He was in the 200s overall and an SMU recruit when Alabama started recruiting him. He only jumped to #2 in the final rankings after signing day. I bet David Sanders is getting paid more than him given he was a top 5 recruit for years and had us and Ohio State in a bidding war.

The highest rated guys aren't necessarily the highest paid. Its the guys who got teams to get into bidding wars and were considered the top recruits in this class for a while that were the highest paid.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

I think to some extent you are getting the cart before the horse here.

I am willing to bet most schools and coaches aren't starting someone because they make 2 million dollars. I am willing to bet its more likely they got those players to start, and are thus worthy of 2 million dollars.

and I am really curious about how these contracts are written, especially now that the schools paying for play is legal. I would imagine we see some type of performance scale added. like you agree before the season they get 2 million for starting quality play, 1.5 if they start but aren't great, 1 million if you are the key back up, so on and so forth. A lot of the time you do see them say the deal is worth "up to 4 million dollars". good way to protect the school while incentivizing the player.

One reason you might throw a guy whose making $2 mil/yr out there to start is to potentially find out if he is any good. That way if he's a developmental prospect like Nico turned out to be for us you can send him packing if he demands more money.

Just consider if Nico had made his demands to get paid more money last offseason? All we would have is his one game against Iowa where he looked good and the hype. In that scenario we probably cave and give him what he wants. However, because we saw him not look that good over an entire season we were willing to let him walk this offseason.

Sometimes its better to know what you got when you're paying someone a lot of money that way you can move on if they don't turn out to be good or if you still like them as developmental prospect you can negotiate more strictly with them.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

Just a projected depth chart but UGA has 17 of 22 projected starters that are JR or older. May be young/new to UGA but not young.

Vols will prob have 13-14.

The starters won't be young but the backups will be. The days of Alabama and Georgia stacking upperclassmen in their 2-deep are over. Your starters will mostly be veterans but your immediate backups with be freshman.

Just look at our roster. Around 50% of the roster are true freshman and redshirt freshman. But most of our starters are upperclassmen. Its the key backups that will now freshman when in the past they were upperclassmen.

 

[SmyrnaATLVolisback]

Just a projected depth chart but UGA has 17 of 22 projected starters that are JR or older. May be young/new to UGA but not young.

Vols will prob have 13-14.

Didn’t realize you only played eleven players. Why don’t you look at the overall roster and see what is mostly comprised of. Look at ours too. Everyone is becoming younger and that means young players have to play. Football rotates so much that starting is funny.