How much does Will James make in NIL?

Cornerback · Houston Cougars · Big 12

James is Houston's returning starting cornerback and a Preseason All-Big 12 first-team selection after starting all 13 games in 2025. The Southern Miss transfer led the Cougars with three interceptions and was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week in November.

ClassSenior
Jersey#5
2026 roleProjected starter
HometownGrand Bay, Ala.
Estimated 2026 NIL valuation
$144K to $225K

Estimated range as of August 2026. Modeled estimate, not a confirmed deal.

Influence (social)12%
Exposure (program/market)28%
Performance38%
Brand & sport22%

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What is Will James's NIL value?

As of August 2026, Will James's estimated NIL value falls between $144K and $225K. Will James is a cornerback for the Houston Cougars in the Big 12. Will's figure is a modeled estimate based on audience, on-field role, market and sport.

SportFootball
PositionCornerback
SchoolHouston Cougars
ConferenceBig 12
LevelNCAA Division I (Power conference)

NIL at Houston Cougars

Houston's NIL resources have leaned toward men's basketball, the program's flagship sport, which reached the 2025 national championship game and has sustained elite rosters. Football, elevated to the Big 12 in 2023, operates with a smaller NIL footprint while it works to establish itself in the deeper conference. The city of Houston is one of the country's largest corporate markets, which gives athletes real endorsement upside, but donor NIL activity around football has been modest compared with the conference's established powers. The House settlement lets Houston pay athletes directly, capped around $20.5 million department-wide in year one with annual growth, and how that pool is divided between a championship-level basketball program and a developing football roster is a defining question for the athletic department.

How NIL value is calculated

An NIL value is an estimate of what an athlete could earn from name, image and likeness over 12 months, not a salary or a confirmed deal. We weigh audience (social reach and engagement), performance and role, school and market, and the sport and position. No exact NIL figure is publicly disclosed for Will, so the value shown here is a modeled estimate. See how NIL valuations work.

Will NIL FAQ

How much does Will James make in NIL?

Will James's 2026 estimated NIL value falls between $144K and $225K, a modeled estimate of 12-month name, image and likeness earning potential. The exact figure and the full breakdown are free on this page with an email.

Is that Will's salary or net worth?

No. The figure estimates what Will could earn from name, image and likeness deals over 12 months, such as endorsements, appearances and social media. It is not a salary, not a signed contract, and not Will's net worth. The deals an athlete actually signs can differ from any estimate.

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