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Will Howard's 7-figure Ohio State NIL deal paid more than NFL contract
TL;DR
Will Howard revealed that his NIL deal with Ohio State earned him more than his NFL rookie contract. The deal included an apartment, a Ford Bronco, and over seven figures in total compensation.
Key points
- Will Howard earned more from his NIL deal than his NFL contract
- The NIL deal included an apartment and a Ford Bronco
- Howard was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025
- NFL contracts are taxed differently than college NIL earnings
Will HowardPittsburgh Steelers2025 NFL DraftOhio State Buckeyes
Former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard told The Athletic that he made more money in his final college football season, when the Buckeyes made a national championship run, than he did as an NFL rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Howard disclosed details of his NIL deal, saying it included an apartment, a Ford Bronco and money totaling seven figures.
"You can create generational wealth now, and it doesn't have to start in the NFL," Howard told The Athletic.
Howard was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft at pick No. 185. Howard's four-year rookie contract is worth around $1.1 million annually.
In the NFL, players are paid as W-2 employees with taxes already deducted from their deal. College students making money from NIL collectives, on the other hand, are treated as independent contractors, required to fill out a Form 1099 and report their own taxes.
The Steelers selected Ohio State quarterback Will Howard Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft at pick No. 185.
Howard told The Athletic that he never signed an NIL deal through Kansas State's collective but did sign small deals with businesses in the community.
Q&A
How much did Will Howard earn from his Ohio State NIL deal?
Will Howard's NIL deal was worth over seven figures, surpassing his earnings as an NFL rookie.
What benefits were included in Will Howard's NIL deal?
Howard's NIL deal included an apartment, a Ford Bronco, and a substantial cash payment.
How does college athlete compensation differ from NFL contracts?
College athletes like Howard are treated as independent contractors for NIL deals, while NFL players are W-2 employees with taxes deducted from their contracts.
