Updated Saturday, September 5, 2026. Figures are reported estimates; Michigan does not publish its payroll. Refreshes after each portal window.
Michigan’s reported football roster cost of $32.4 million is 15th nationally, the lowest of the traditional powers on the list, and the money is unusually concentrated in one sophomore. Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, is at $3 million, and no other Wolverine is above $2 million.
| Player | Sport / Pos | On3 valuation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Underwood | Football, QB | $3M | 10th highest football valuation |
| John Henry Daley | Football, EDGE | $2M | All American transfer from Utah |
| JP Estrella | Basketball, PF | $3M | |
| Moustapha Thiam | Basketball, C | $3M |
On3 NIL 100 as of September 4, 2026, deal based model.
How Michigan Spends
Underwood was reported to be the most expensive recruit in the sport when he flipped from LSU to Michigan in late 2024, and his $3 million valuation as a sophomore is still below what an established starter costs. Daley followed Kyle Whittingham from Utah and is the program’s biggest portal spend. The rest of the reported $32.4 million is depth. The basketball program, by contrast, is paying two players $3 million apiece, which puts it in the top 25 of the sport on individual deals.
The Bottom Line
Michigan’s reported $32.4 million football roster is 15th nationally, built around Bryce Underwood at $3 million, while its basketball payroll is comparatively aggressive. National context is on most expensive rosters and highest NIL valuations. Related: Michigan depth chart.