Tennessee is among the biggest spenders in college football, with a 2026 roster budget reported above $40 million. The odd part is where a chunk of that money went: the program’s two largest NIL deals belong to players who are not playing.
| Player | Position | On3 valuation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaz Coleman | EDGE | $2M | Medically disqualified and off the roster. Reportedly paid about $200,000 before leaving |
| David Sanders Jr. | LT | $1.7M | Highest paid player actually on the field. Former five-star, sophomore |
| George MacIntyre | QB | $1.6M | Backup. On3 lists this as market value rather than a confirmed deal |
| Faizon Brandon | QB | $1M, confirmed | Starter. The No. 3 quarterback in the 2026 recruiting class |
| TK Keys | WR | $1M, confirmed | Five-star freshman |
| Mike Matthews | WR | $1M, confirmed | Junior |
| DeSean Bishop | RB | $1M | Not listed as a confirmed deal |
On3 valuations, mid-2026. Tennessee does not publish its payroll, and On3 distinguishes confirmed deals from market value estimates.
Two Deals, No Snaps
Chaz Coleman arrived from Penn State on a reported $2 million deal, the largest on the roster. He was medically disqualified and is no longer with the program. Tennessee is off the hook for most of the contract, with about $200,000 reportedly paid before he left, but it is still money that did not buy production.
George MacIntyre is the second largest at $1.6 million and is currently the backup, behind true freshman Faizon Brandon, whose confirmed deal is $1 million. So the two biggest numbers on the roster belong to a player who is gone and a player who is holding a clipboard, while the starting quarterback costs less than either.
That gap between valuation and contribution is worth understanding rather than treating as scandal. A valuation estimates what a player could command in the market, not what he was paid or what he returned. Our explainer on NIL valuation versus actual earnings covers the difference.
Where the Budget Figure Comes From
Reported roster budgets vary by source and method. The Athletic placed Tennessee above $40 million in September as part of a list of 15 Power Four programs estimated over $35 million. An earlier model had the Vols at $35.7 million. Neither is a disclosed payroll, because schools are not required to publish one.
Tennessee also spent in the portal, adding former Penn State linebacker Amare Campbell and defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam alongside Coleman. For national context see most expensive college football rosters, and the Vols’ season is on our Tennessee schedule page.
The Bottom Line
Tennessee’s roster budget is reported above $40 million. David Sanders Jr. at $1.7 million is the highest paid Vol on the field, and the two larger deals belong to a player who was medically disqualified and a backup quarterback.