Drake Maye Makes $9.1 Million in the NFL, But This College QB Is Worth More
Drake Maye just had one of the best seasons for a second-year player in NFL history.
He led the New England Patriots to a 14-3 regular season record, throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions, while leading the NFL with a 72% completion rate.
He also ran for 450 yards and four scores, and finished second in MVP voting behind Matthew Stafford.
Oh, and he took the Patriots to the Super Bowl, all at just 23 years old.
And yet, Maye is set to make roughly $9.1 million per year over the next two seasons on his rookie contract.
That sounds like a massive paycheck, and it is. But believe it or not, a college quarterback is making even more annually right now.
Meet Darian Mensah, Miami’s new transfer quarterback, who reportedly signed an NIL deal worth $10 million.
A college student. Out-earning an NFL star. In 2026.
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Mensah had a breakout 2025 campaign at Duke, completing 334 of 500 passes (66.8%) for 3,973 yards, 34 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, earning second-team All-ACC honors and leading Duke to the ACC Championship.
However, Mensah's rise was followed by controversy.
Duke had signed Mensah to a reported two-year, $8 million NIL contract in 2024 after transferring over from Tulane. But just one year into that deal, Mensah tried to transfer to Miami, prompting Duke to sue him in Durham County Superior Court.
After a settlement was reached, Mensah was free to sign with the Hurricanes, becoming the third straight transfer to start at quarterback for Miami, following in the shoes of Carson Beck and Cam Ward.
Mensah’s reported $10 million deal with Miami made him the highest-paid player in college football.
That means that a player who has never taken an NFL snap is commanding more guaranteed money than the guy who just took the Patriots to the Super Bowl.
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This isn’t a knock on Mensah. He put up 34 touchdowns at Duke and now has Malachi Toney on the outside at Miami. It just shows you where college football’s at right now.
Mensah’s bombshell transfer proved once again that the only thing governing the transfer portal is the highest bidder, and Miami, with Mario Cristobal building a genuine powerhouse, is playing that game better than almost anyone right now.
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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 6:46 PM.