Athletes outside of the Power 5 are on the rise—on the field and in the NIL market. Once overlooked, these stars are now landing major partnerships, drawing massive online followings, and establishing their brand presence in ways that rival, and often surpass, their Power 5 counterparts.

We can track that momentum through the Out2Win Score, a proprietary metric developed by Out2Win to quantify athlete marketability. It factors in social follower growth, engagement rates, sponsored post performance, and posting consistency—giving brands, agencies, and universities a reliable benchmark to identify top-tier talent in the NIL era.

Here are the top 10 non–Power 5 college football players making major NIL waves according to their Out2Win Scores.

1. Malachi Nelson – QB, UTEP (86 Out2Win Score)

Former five-star recruit, Malachi Nelson transferred from USC to Boise State and now starts for UTEP. With 147.4K followers and a 9.4% engagement rate, he’s turned social capital into sponsorships—most notably with Culture Kings, where he recently co-hosted a collection launch. His platform continues to climb as he becomes the face of a program on the rise.

2. Noah Boatwright – LB, Presbyterian (81 Out2Win Score)

Up next is linebacker Noah Boatwright, a freshman standout who led his high school team with 147 tackles last season. Though still early in his college career, he’s already attracting attention: 842k followers and partnerships with Cal AI and Los Reyes sunglasses. His quick conversion of grassroots loyalty into brand interest demonstrates the strength of authentic athlete narratives.

3. Websley Etienne – S, FIU (79 Out2Win Score)

After transferring from Arkansas State, Etienne anchored FIU’s defense with 56 tackles and 2 interceptions in 2024. His off-field presence—65K followers, 9.6% engagement, and deals with Adidas, and Men’s Warehouse—speaks to how defensive standouts can convert performance into personality.

4. Shane Porter – RB, Sam Houston (78 Out2Win Score)

With 1.2 million TikTok followers and an impressive 13.7% engagement rate, Shane Porter took his Sam Houston success viral. He rushed for 648 yards and 5 touchdowns for North Texas before transferring, and landed partnerships with EA Sports and Manscaped—all in a class typically dominated by skill-position stars.

5. Finn Hogan – WR, Bowling Green (77 Out2Win Score)

Originally at Central Michigan, Hogan brings size and speed to Bowling Green—and brands like JBL, Coca‑Cola, and PacSun. His 265K followers (and 8.3% TikTok engagement) prove mid-major wide receivers can deliver the wholesomeness and reach brands desire.

6. Jason Mitchell – S, Western Michigan (76 Out2Win Score)

Mitchell transferred from San Diego State, bringing his 536K Instagram following and a 10.7% engagement rate to Western Michigan. On top of a full season of social momentum, he’s picked up brand deals with Rockstar Original, and Celsius. Safety? Nah—social media sniper.

7. Alex Orji – QB, UNLV (76 Out2Win Score)

Former Michigan national champion Alex Orji—who collected four rushing touchdowns with the Wolverines—now brings his winning pedigree to UNLV. With 186K followers and 8% engagement, he’s secured partnerships with Powerade, Dick’s, and Wolverine Boots—demonstrating how brief stints can yield lasting brand potential.

8. Champ Lewis – CB, Tulsa (75 Out2Win Score)

Champ Lewis is one of the most intriguing rising talents in college football’s Group of Five. With 145.1K followers and a 15.28% engagement rate, his social presence alone turns heads. Lewis is a name to watch as companies look to tap into fresh, uncommitted athlete voices.

9. Matt Colombo – RB, San Diego (74 Out2Win Score)

Transferring from USC, Colombo may not headline highlight reels, but his brand work speaks volumes: 69.8K followers, 17% engagement, and partnerships with Honey Stinger, Jack in the Box, Qdoba, Liquid IV, Orgain, and Degree. That kind of diverse sponsorship mix shows how running backs can be commercial heavyweights.

10. Cole Cabana – RB, Western Michigan (74 Out2Win Score)

A national champion at Michigan, Cole Cabana brings championship pedigree and serious marketability to Western Michigan. He’s built a loyal following of 50.2K with a 13.58% overall engagement rate and a standout 19.16% on Instagram. Now suiting up for the Broncos, Cabana has already landed sponsorships with SeatGeek and Ziebart International, showing that even after transferring from a Power 5 powerhouse, his brand value continues to hold strong.

What This Top 10 Reveals About NIL in College Sports

This collection of high-impact, non–Power 5 stars underscores how the impact of name, image, and likeness on college athletics is real—and widespread. These athletes prove brand collaborations and partnerships aren’t exclusive to major programs. Instead, they’re being built on authentic popularity, positional versatility, and college athlete brand partnerships powered by data-driven strategy.

These top 10 players have leveraged their social platforms, performance, and personality to become compelling NIL assets. They’re charting a new path—one where opportunity isn’t limited by conference affiliation, but fueled by connection and engagement.