How much does Zion Johnson make in NIL?
Running Back · Cincinnati Bearcats · Big 12
Johnson is a sophomore running back from Newton High School in Covington, Georgia, where he rushed for 5,130 career yards and 44 touchdowns, including 2,185 yards and 16 scores as a senior at 11.3 yards per carry. A consensus three-star recruit rated among the top 40 running backs nationally by ESPN and On3, he signed with Cincinnati in February 2024. He redshirted in 2025 while appearing in four games and carrying 22 times for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Estimated range as of August 2026. Modeled estimate, not a confirmed deal.
Modeled estimate · 12-month earning potential
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What is Zion Johnson's NIL value?
As of August 2026, Zion Johnson's estimated NIL value falls between $112K and $175K. Zion Johnson is a running back for the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Big 12. Zion has about 3.5K followers across social media, led by 3.5K on Instagram, a core driver of football NIL value. Zion's figure is a modeled estimate based on audience, on-field role, market and sport.
| Sport | Football |
| Position | Running Back |
| School | Cincinnati Bearcats |
| Conference | Big 12 |
| Level | NCAA Division I (Power conference) |
Zion's social media following
Zion's public social presence is about ~3.5K followers on Instagram. Follower figures are approximate, as of August 2026.
NIL at Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati moved up to the Big 12 in 2023 after its 2021 College Football Playoff run, but its NIL market has not scaled with its conference status. A 2026 roster review found no published valuations for any Bearcat football player, one of only a few power-conference programs where that was true, so team-level NIL totals for Cincinnati are formula output rather than market data. Donor NIL activity exists but operates quietly, and the city's sponsorship market is shared with two professional franchises. Under the House settlement Cincinnati can now pay athletes directly, subject to the cap of roughly $20.5 million in the first year with annual increases, and that direct money may matter more here than third-party deals ever did.
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 Zion, so the value shown here is a modeled estimate. See how NIL valuations work.
Zion NIL FAQ
How much does Zion Johnson make in NIL?
Zion Johnson's 2026 estimated NIL value falls between $112K and $175K, 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 Zion's salary or net worth?
No. The figure estimates what Zion 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 Zion's net worth. The deals an athlete actually signs can differ from any estimate.
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