Top 5 richest Notre Dame Fighting Irish based on NIL

4. Howard Cross III

Cross began his college career two years before name, image and likeness deals became legal. Now, as a sixth-year defensive lineman, he has grown his NIL valuation to $524,000. 

Cross turned heads when he decided to return to college for a sixth year instead of declaring for the NFL. In general, more athletes are opting to stay in school longer for the NIL opportunities. While the amount Cross received for his return remains unknown, what is clear is his high roster value as one of the country’s top three interior defensive linemen. 

Interestingly, Cross has just 4,500 followers on Instagram, and he doesn’t have a single brand deal advertised on the platform.