On Friday night, the House settlement ushered in a new era of NCAA athletics. Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh long advocated for players to get a piece of the pie.
Now, they finally will. Some were already making money on their NIL. So players were starting to cash in on their talents, but this gives them a piece of the pie, such as TV money, in a real way that never existed before.
Schools will now have $20 million in revenue that they can pay directly to players. Most of it will go to football, although some will also go to basketball programs, and other sports such as wrestling or volleyball.
Another part of it is that former players, dating back to 2016, will get back pay from the NCAA. Here is a look at the Michigan players who deserve it the most.
Aidan Hutchinson
The Michigan football legend, runner-up in the Heisman, and second overall pick in the NFL draft should get a big chunk of money for his college accomplishments.
Hutchinson is remembered for the 2021 season. What's truly legendary about him, though, is that he could have left Michigan football for the NFL draft, and probably been at least a day two pick.
Hutch stayed and became a champion, notching three sacks as Michigan vanquished Ohio State for the first time in a decade. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year had 14.5 sacks as a senior to go along with 17.5 tackles for loss. He finished his career wth 18.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss.
Jabrill Peppers
Speaking of Heisman Trophy finalists, Jabrill Peppers was one of the most exciting players in Michigan football history.
Peppers, who Brady Hoke recruited, had 72 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, a forced fumble, 167 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, plus a Big Ten leading 310 punt returns yards (14.8 average) and one touchdown, all in 2016 when he finished fifth in the Heisman voting.
Peppers was a Swiss-Army Knife, who would also go on to a be a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
Jake Butt
One of the most deserving players for compensation is Jake Butt, simply because he sacrificed his pro career to play in the Orange Bowl.
Butt suffered a significant knee injury in the loss to Florida State. He became one of the poster childs for why players should skip the bowl game, because he went from a possible first-round pick, to a fifth-round selection, and his NFL career never got off the mat.
Not only was Butt a First-Team All-American, he caught 138 career passes for 1,646 yards and 11 touchdowns. It was a hell of a career and I hope the MIchigan legend gets compensated.
Rashan Gary
If NIL was a thing when Rashan Gary was a high school recruit, he would have been paid millions -- probably more than anyone on this list.
Michigan football didn't use Gary as an EDGE pass rusher, the way the Packers have, but he still had 10.5 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, and 136 total tackles.
Some Michigan fans believe that Gary was misused at Michigan. However, he was a force and one of the best run defenders I have ever seen. Opposing teams would use two or sometimes three blockers to contain him at times.
The Michigan standout still went in the first round to Green Bay, but he missed out on a boatload of cash, reportedly even turning down $300 thousand to sign with the Wolverines.