3-Point Stance: Coaches on the Cusp of a Raise, Breakout Defensive Linemen, More NIL Deals

National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the 3-Point Stance looking at coaches on the cusp of massive raises, defensive linemen who will break from the shadows and more dream NIL deals.

Coaches on the Cusp of a Raise

— Mike Norvell was on the cusp. After two losing seasons at FSU, he could have easily been on the hot seat with an average season. Instead, he won 10 games, doubled his salary, and is extended to 2029. Just like that, it can happen. Believe it or not, these guys are in the same situation.

1. Billy Napier, Florida

— Napier has had one losing season at Florida while Norvell had two, but patience in Gainesville isn’t the same in Tallahassee these days. Another losing year at Florida, he could be gone or at least on a very hot seat. But a big winning year, and he’ll be in the Josh Heupel range quickly.

2. Steve Sarkisian, Texas

— Sark makes around $5 million a year at Texas but if he wins a Big 12 title or even 11 games with a nice bowl and he’ll be a $10 million guy. And if he has a bad year, he could be gone.

3. Neal Brown, West Virginia

— How could Brown be on here? After all, he’s lucky he hasn’t been fired already, right? This is just how it works sometimes. Survive and have one good year, and suddenly, you're locked up with a big raise. It’s unlikely, but it’s one or the other for Brown — big extension or fired.

4. Kalen DeBoer, Washington

— He’s now in the middle of the pack in Pac-12 coaching salaries after a 10-win season, but if he has another he’ll be right up top. Unlike the others so far, he’s nowhere near a hot seat, but he’s on the cusp of a massive raise.

5. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri

— Drinkwitz got a little bump after this season despite a 6-7 year but that’s all for show and for recruiting. He’s locked up until 2027, but we all know a bad year, and he could be gone. But imagine a surprising year similar to South Carolina last year? That’s big bucks.

Defensive Linemen Stepping Into the Spotlight

— We continue our series of players who could break out of the shadows at their positions this season with the defensive line.

1. Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois

Overshadowed by: Mazi Smith, Keeanu Benton

It's been a while since the Illini had a truly dominant defensive lineman, but Newton showed flashes during his redshirt sophomore seasons of being a true disruptor on the interior. 

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2. Leonard Taylor, Miami

Overshadowed by: Bryan Bresee, Calijah Kancey

Taylor was a huge get for former 'Canes head coach Manny Diaz out of high school, and while he's flashed moments of that five-star talent, he has yet to really put it together for a full season. If Miami is going to get to where Mario Cristobal needs them, Taylor has to be a dominant force on the line, and he can be just that.

3. Byron Murphy, Texas

Overshadowed by: Sikai Ika, Keondre Coburn

Despite being a very different type of interior lineman than Ika and his former teammate Coburn, Murphy has a chance to make a huge impact in his own way. While he'll never be able to stuff the run in the same way that the big man from Baylor did, Murphy has the ability to be a true threat as a pass rusher from the interior.

4. Bear Alexander, Georgia

Overshadowed by: Jalen Carter, Gervon Dexter, Byron Young

Another year, another dominant defensive tackle for the Bulldogs. Alexander was a five-star coming out of high school, and he started flashing dominance toward the end of his true freshman season in 2022. He should break out in a huge way this fall. 

More Dream NIL Deals

— And finally here are some more NIL deals that make sense and should happen.

1. Bear Alexander, Georgia

Sponsor: Coca-Cola

Speaking of the big defensive tackle, having him as a spokesperson for the Georgia-based soda giant is a natural. Let's put Bear in a commercial with the Coke Polar Bears and have them share a delicious cola and end in a bear hug. Why not?

2. Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss

Sponsor: Gore-Tex

Beyond the name match, this makes sense on a lot of levels. Gore-Tex repels water. Gore Jr. repels defenders. And bringing in his legendary father for an ad campaign would be a lot of fun,

3. Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

Sponsor: Godfather's Pizza

C'mon, this is too easy. One of the most underrated defenders in the country, Corleone should easily be the next standout for the Bearcats on the heels of Sauce Gardner, Ivan Pace, and more. Then again, maybe he should come work for the real Godfather...

4. Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Sponsor: File Vault

Alt is the best pass protector in the country, and what better sponsor than a pass(word) protector?

5. Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Julian Fleming, Ohio State

Sponsor: Three Musketeers

The Buckeyes' wide receiver trio is hands-down the best in the nation and are the perfect spokespeople for the candy bar. The three of them dressed up as Athos, Porthos, and Aramis running routes would be a site to behold.