Oregon State's Legree leads group of ten players gaining NIL leverage after strong 2026 seasons
From Jesse Legree in Corvallis to Xavier Lewis in Chapel Hill, standout on-field performance is driving contract negotiations for ten college football athletes.
By Carolina Wood ·
Jesse Legree, a wide receiver for Oregon State, has secured a new name, image, and likeness contract after announcing his return to the Beavers for the 2026 season. The move eliminates transfer portal risks and protects the program's top receiver from competing offers. Legree currently leads the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,110 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns through eight games. His 20.9 yards per catch average ranks ninth nationally. These statistics place him ahead of Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith in key receiving categories.
Across the country, other players are seeing their market value rise due to specific statistical milestones. Kamario Taylor, the quarterback for Mississippi State, guided the Bulldogs to a No. 16 ranking in the Associated Press Poll before a season-ending injury. He threw 15 touchdown passes and accumulated more than 1,000 yards of total offense in a four-game winning streak. Taylor has stated that he intends to finish his career in Starkville, citing a personal commitment to completing the task he started. Sources close to the program expect him to remain with the team.
At Duke, running back Nate Sheppard is positioned as a candidate for the Doak Walker Award in the coming season. In his sophomore year, he has rushed for 972 yards and 14 touchdowns. Coach Manny Diaz has relied on Sheppard as the primary offensive weapon following the departure of Darian Mensah. Sheppard's consistent performance has made him a central figure in the Blue Devils' ground game.
Defensive end Andrew Zock of Toledo is likely to become a starter in the Power Four conferences next season. The junior has recorded 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 12 tackles for loss for the Rockets. He transferred from Mercer last summer, where he posted 46 tackles and 11.5 sacks in the previous year. His current production suggests he will attract attention from larger programs during the offseason.
Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson has thrown for 2,977 yards and 25 touchdowns with only two interceptions this season. The sophomore from Raleigh, North Carolina, transferred from Mercer and won the starting job in August. He has exceeded 300 passing yards in every start and has surpassed the 400-yard mark three times. His partnership with Legree has established the Beavers as the leading offensive unit in the Pac-12.
South Carolina running back Matt Fuller began the season with touchdowns in five straight games. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry and was the team's leading rusher through the first half of the year. A foot injury sustained during a win at Oklahoma may sideline him for the rest of the season. The Gamecocks lead the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards per game at 217.5, a total that includes Fuller's early contributions.
West Virginia quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. has rushed for 836 yards and 16 touchdowns, the highest scoring total for a quarterback in college football. The junior transferred from Oklahoma and fits into coach Rich Rodriguez's offense, which requires quarterbacks to run the ball frequently. Coaches plan to build the 2027 offense around his dual-threat abilities while improving the defense to compete in the Big 12.
Other players gaining value include Cal's Kingston Lopa, who is tied for the national lead with five interceptions. He transferred from Oregon and has provided stability for coach Tosh Lupoi. Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez has thrown 18 touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 317 yards and six scores. North Carolina defensive tackle Xavier Lewis has recorded 43 tackles and seven sacks in his first season as a starter, helping coach Bill Belichick rebuild the Tar Heels' defense.
