Tennessee Football’s NIL Stock Risers: Who Played Their Way Into a Bigger Paycheck in 2026
In today’s college football landscape, performance on the field is only part of the equation - the other part is how that performance translates into NIL value. And after an 8-4 regular season and a Music City Bowl appearance on the horizon, several Tennessee players have made a strong case for a raise in their name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation.
Since July, schools have been allowed to directly pay athletes through revenue-sharing agreements, in addition to the third-party deals already dominating the NIL space. That’s changed the game. Now, it’s not just about what you did on Saturdays - it’s also about how that production stacks up against your paycheck.
Let’s break down the Vols who boosted their stock in 2025 and are in line for a well-earned bump in NIL earnings heading into 2026.
DeSean Bishop: From Walk-On to All-SEC
No one on Tennessee’s roster made a bigger leap in value than DeSean Bishop. The former walk-on turned scholarship running back didn’t just earn a spot - he earned second-team All-SEC honors after rushing for 983 yards and 14 touchdowns in the regular season.
Bishop’s journey is the kind of story NIL was built for. He wasn’t a starter when he got that scholarship back in January, so it’s safe to say his NIL earnings didn’t match what he ended up producing.
But after a breakout year that put him among the conference’s top backs, he’s no longer just a feel-good story - he’s a key piece of Tennessee’s offense. And that kind of production deserves a raise.
Braylon Staley: Freshman of the Year, Payday Incoming
Braylon Staley entered 2025 as a promising four-star freshman, but he left no doubt about his potential once the season got going. With 64 catches for 806 yards and six touchdowns, Staley earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors and emerged as one of the most reliable targets in Tennessee’s passing game.
Sure, his recruiting pedigree probably earned him a decent NIL deal coming in. But even for a top-100 recruit, it’s unlikely he was paid like a top-tier SEC wideout. Now that he’s proven he can perform against elite competition, expect his NIL value to reflect that.
Wendell Moe: From Portal Pickup to All-SEC Lineman
Wendell Moe’s situation is a bit more nuanced, but there’s no question he played his way into a better position. The offensive lineman came to Knoxville via the transfer portal and ended up as an AP All-SEC selection.
The tricky part with Moe is gauging what his NIL deal looked like when he transferred. If he was a hot commodity, he may have already been paid well.
But now, with a full season of high-level SEC play under his belt and the NFL on the horizon, Moe has more leverage than ever. Whether he’s back in orange next season or exploring other options, his value has climbed.
Jesse Perry: Three-Star Recruit, Freshman All-American
Jesse Perry wasn’t the most hyped recruit in Tennessee’s 2024 class. In fact, he was ranked fifth among the five offensive linemen the Vols signed.
But rankings don’t block defensive ends - players do. And Perry did that well enough in 2025 to earn Freshman All-America honors.
He started 11 games, splitting time between right tackle and right guard, and proved he could handle SEC-level competition. Whether he becomes a full-time starter or remains a versatile piece, Perry’s NIL value has undoubtedly gone up. He’s not just a depth guy anymore - he’s a foundational piece of the offensive line.
Ty Redmond: Lockdown Corner on the Rise
Like Perry, Ty Redmond came in with modest expectations. A three-star recruit ranked fourth among Tennessee’s five defensive back signees, Redmond wasn’t supposed to be a star right away. But that’s exactly what he became.
Redmond tied for the SEC lead with 13 passes defended, led the Vols with three interceptions, and earned both All-SEC third-team and Freshman All-SEC honors. For a true freshman cornerback, that’s elite production. And in today’s NIL environment, elite production means negotiating power.
Jordan Ross: Five-Star Talent, Scheme Fit, and Future Star
Jordan Ross already had the recruiting pedigree - a five-star edge rusher in the 2024 class - so his NIL deal was likely solid from the start. But what he showed on the field in 2025, especially before injuries slowed him down, makes him even more valuable going forward.
Ross flashed the kind of disruptive ability that makes defensive coordinators build schemes around him. With new DC Jim Knowles now in charge, and a heavy emphasis on edge pressure, Ross could become the centerpiece of Tennessee’s defense. He tallied three tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, six QB hurries, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble - all signs of a player ready to explode in Year 2.
Even if his NIL deal was strong out of high school, his role and impact in this defense suggest it could be even stronger in 2026.
The Bigger Picture: NIL as a New Offseason Battleground
What we’re seeing now is the evolution of NIL into a full-blown offseason storyline. It’s no longer just about recruiting or flashy deals - it’s about performance-based compensation.
Players who outperform their contracts - yes, we can call them that now - are looking for raises. And schools, operating under a roughly $13.5 million payroll cap, have to make tough decisions.
Some players get pay bumps. Others might see cuts. The math isn’t public, but the stakes are real.
And with the transfer portal opening on January 2, these negotiations are about more than just money. They’re about retention. Because in this new era, keeping your best players often means paying them what they’ve earned.
For Tennessee, several players made a strong case in 2025. Now it’s time to see who gets rewarded - and who becomes a priority to keep in Knoxville.