Dabo says pursuit of NFL players 'embarrassing'

Dabo Swinney said the potential return of players from NFL minicamps to college is "embarrassing" ahead of Clemson's season opener at LSU.

The top 3

  1. Top 3 Individual NIL Earners: As of 2026, the highest-paid college athletes by NIL valuation include Arch Manning (Texas QB) with an estimated $6.8 million, followed by Carson Beck (Miami QB) at $4.3 million, and Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State WR) at $4.2 million.
  2. Top 3 Sports by NIL Revenue: Football and men's basketball collectively account for nearly 67% of all NIL compensation, making them the top two sports in terms of NIL revenue. Women's basketball and gymnastics also feature prominent NIL earners, such as Olivia Dunne.
  3. Top 3 NIL-Active College Programs: Oregon, Texas A&M, and Ohio State are among the top college programs in terms of NIL efforts and resources. Oregon, backed by Nike founder Phil Knight, leads in NIL resources, while Texas A&M and Ohio State have secured significant NIL deals for their athletes.

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