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How Tennessee football recruits negotiate NIL pay for 2026 signing day
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- How Tennessee football recruits negotiate NIL pay for 2026 signing day
Tennessee football recruits will sign scholarship agreements with the Vols and then ink their NIL revenue-sharing contracts with the university during the early signing day, which begins Dec. 3.
It's a new phase of the NIL era. Since July 1, colleges have been allowed to pay athletes directly for use of their name, image and likeness . And recruits in this 2026 class will be the first to sign under the new rules.
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UT granted Knox News an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into its new NIL operations office , which negotiates and manages pay for student-athletes.
It provides eye-opening insight into a prospect's experience these days, from mulling lucrative offers during recruitment to getting their first paycheck as a college player.
With that in mind, let's tackle the biggest questions of this new system from the perspective of a Tennessee football recruit.
When do we talk money during my recruitment?
As a 2026 signee, you've already done that. It can happen at different points in the recruiting process, probably ramping up in the summer before your senior year. Your official visit to UT's campus provided a perfect time to sit down and talk dollar figures.
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But those are just informal talks. A university can't make a written offer of direct school-to-player pay until Aug. 1. And even then, the recruit can't sign the offer sheet, so it's just a step in the process toward signing day.
Those rules are put in place by the College Sports Commission, an independent regulatory body established by the power conferences to oversee new revenue-sharing and NIL rules.
So do I find out my pay during recruiting visit?
Yes, or at least an opening offer. For some players, that's a first and final offer. For others, it's the first step in a long negotiation. Just like a job, your talent and the competition for your services determines your leverage.
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A few players may only get a scholarship, and they can play their way into NIL money once they prove themselves on the field.
Again, you're not going to sign anything during your recruiting visit, so don't feel overwhelmed. You can sign a contract as early as signing day in December.
INSIDE NIL NEGOTIATIONS Tracking Tennessee 2026 recruits from NIL offer to payment
Who do I meet with about my pay from Tennessee?
During the recruiting visit, you'll meet with JB Bowling, UT's executive associate athletics director for NIL operations, and Will Watkins, associate athletics director for NIL operations. They'll make the initial offer of how much money UT plans to pay you directly.
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Other UT staffers may also be there to answer your questions about UT promotional content or academic resources that can help you manage your money.
Your family is welcomed and encouraged to attend. In some instances, the UT coach who's recruiting you may also sit in the meeting, but only if you want them there.
If you have an agent, they negotiate on your behalf via phone call after you leave the meeting.
Who negotiates with Tennessee for my pay?
You or your family are allowed to do that. But most players prefer to have legal representation to avoid uncomfortable negotiations.
For moderately paid and highly paid players, an agent makes sense, especially if earning third-party NIL money is a possibility. But keep in mind that they get a percentage of your earnings.
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For lower paid players, an attorney can do the job. They're just dotting I's and crossing T's on a standard contract, and they often only charge a flat fee.
UT can call the agent or attorney before the meeting with the initial offer so you're already aware of it. But they'll always get a call after the meeting.
MEET VOLS NIL STAFF These people run Tennessee operation to pay players
Does Josh Heupel determine my pay?
Not exactly. Athletics director Danny White decides how much money each sport gets to pay players under a revenue sharing salary cap. For UT and most SEC schools, that's about $13.5 million for football.
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As head coach, Josh Heupel gets the final say on player pay. But that doesn't mean every decision on every player ultimately reaches his desk.
UT football has staff members that strategize and manage the payroll , including director of internal and advance scouting Billy High . He's the closest to a general manager that UT has.
Plus, most SEC schools follow a version of the NFL payroll model , which generally allots money by position.
Can I get third-party NIL plus Tennessee pay?
Yes. UT will help you get that if you want. Its new NIL operations office has staff tasked with seeking out and connecting you to third-party NIL opportunities.
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Some players want every NIL deal they can get. Some players don't want any, especially if it requires a social media presence. Your agent or an NIL collective may also help land those third-party NIL deals.
Is that third-party NIL money part of my Tennessee offer?
No. Under the College Sports Commission rules, schools can't guarantee third-party NIL money. They can only guarantee the revenue share money they pay you directly.
Granted, some schools are still promising third-party NIL money that isn't under their purview. That's against the rules, so ask them to put it in writing and watch the deal fade away.
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That being said, schools can tell you about third-party NIL opportunities that their athletes typically get. But they can't guarantee them. Once you're enrolled, UT and its partners can help you explore additional NIL deals.
When can I sign a contract with Tennessee?
You can sign a contract for direct school-to-player pay when you sign your scholarship agreement during the early signing period Dec. 3-5.
But you're not required to sign it immediately. Negotiations can actually extend beyond your enrollment, either over the dollar figure or other terms in the contract. But you won't get paid until you're under contract.
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What do I have to do to get paid by Tennessee?
Nothing extra. You're not required to make special appearances or do any additional work on behalf of UT. Just focus on academics and football.
UT is paying you a share of its revenue as an NIL royalty for the use of your name, image and likeness. Your image will appear on the UT website, posters, promotional videos, social media and other things.
However, third-party NIL deals will require you to make public appearances, create social media posts or appear in commercials to endorse products or services. Those are separate from UT's revenue sharing contracts.
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When do I get paid by Tennessee?
UT encourages monthly payments to help athletes learn to follow a budget. But your payment schedule is negotiable. Some players want a lump sum up front. If so, UT may push more money to the back end of the contract to balance the terms. Some players want to be paid quarterly. UT works with each athlete to meet their preferences.
How do I get paid by Tennessee?
It'll come to you via direct deposit. UT uses Ramp, a financial technology company that specializes in expense management and bill-payment software. UT's NIL office monitors those payments to ensure they're accurate and on time.
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Do I get help budgeting and investing my money?
Yes. UT has a mandatory course for freshmen and newcomers on financial literacy, budgeting, saving and taxes. You can also opt into advanced courses on financial planning and investing. Financial institutions and experts visit campus for group sessions or 1-on-1 confidential meetings with athletes for financial advising.
Since 2021, UT athletics has partnered with NIL-focused firm Altius Sports Partners and the Haslam College of Business to create curriculum for athletes in the NIL era. UT makes this part of its recruiting pitch, emphasizing that it wants athletes to make the most of their money.
Will my third-party NIL deal be automatically approved?
If it's under $600, yes. But all other NIL deals must be approved by the clearinghouse called NIL Go. You can submit your deal to the clearinghouse or designate someone to do it like your agent or parent. But a UT employee cannot submit your third-party NIL deal into the clearinghouse database.
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Again, third-party NIL deals are separate from your revenue money paid by UT.
Do I get a one-year contract from Tennessee?
That's the standard for most players in this phase of the NIL era. Highly-touted quarterbacks sometimes get multi-year deals. But the length of the contract is negotiable depending on the player.
If I transfer after the season, what happens to my contract?
It just ends, as well as your payments. Some schools may seek damages for money already paid, but that's not UT's primary approach. You can get a new contract at your new school. UT will retain the money it was going to pay you in your second semester.
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Of course, every situation is different. There could be clauses in your contract that apply if you transfer before the deal ends, but that's not the standard.
Other schools may seek damages when players under contract jump into the portal. That'll be something to monitor when the portal opens Jan. 2.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee signing day: How Vols football recruits negotiate NIL pay
