Faulk’s Rookie Contract & Residency Overview
| Team | Position | College / Conf. | Age |
| Tennessee Titans (TN) | Defensive End (EDGE) | Auburn (SEC) | 21 |
2026 Estimated Gross Earnings: ~$17 million
2026 Estimated Net Earnings: ~$9-$11 Million
Before Keldric Faulk plays a single snap for the Tennessee Titans, the No. 31 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft should establish residency in the state of Tennessee the second his jet touches wheels down in Nashville. Faulk enters the league with a ~$17 million rookie contract and an ~$9 million signing bonus, and is already staring at a massive financial upgrade.
APSM breaks down Faulk’s real estate and residency options across his new NFL financial landscape. and suggests where the young man could establish his primary residence to maximize his net worth:
Keldric Faulk Regional Real Estate Matrix
| Target Market | Median Entry Cost | State Income Tax | State Capital Gains Tax | Avg. Annual Appreciation | Property Tax Rate |
| Nashville Metro (TN) | ~$460,000 | 0% | 0% | 5%-7% | ~0.6% – 0.8% |
| Auburn / Mobile (AL) | ~$230,000 | 0%-5.0% | 0%-5.0% | 3%-4% | ~0.4% |
While Alabama features an incredibly low property tax rate (~0.4%), maintaining primary legal residency there triggers a 5% state income tax and capital gains tax on Faulk’s compensation portfolio.
Conversely, establishing primary residency in Tennessee completely shields his $9 million signing bonus from state-level tax drag. Combined with Nashville’s booming 5% to 7% annual real estate appreciation, Tennessee serves as an elite wealth preservation engine for athletes.
Does Keldric Faulk Own Any Property?
Faulk grew up in Highland Home, Alabama, became a national recruit, and stayed in‑state to play at Auburn. There are no public records of Faulk owning real estate in Alabama or Tennessee.
Given his profile:
- High‑end SEC recruit
- Strong Auburn NIL, but not seven‑figure NIL
- Likely rented in Auburn (Alabama)
- NIL money probably went to training, family support, savings and finding representation
This Titans rookie deal is his first major wealth event, and Tennessee might just be the perfect market for the rookie to create generational wealth.
Market #1: Alabama (Home/College State)
- Median Home Price: ~$220,000
- Property Tax Rate: ~0.4%
- State Income Tax: 5.0%
- Cost of Living: ~15-20% below U.S. average
- Market Trend: 3-5% annual appreciation (Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville)
Pros
- Extremely low property taxes
- Affordable housing
- Strong appreciation in Huntsville and Birmingham suburbs
- Family ties and support system
Cons
- 5.0% income tax
- Not where he plays
- Slower appreciation than Nashville
While Alabama has one of the lowest state-income tax brackets out of the 41 states that do levy a state tax, Tennessee is in a similar region, has better housing markets as far as appreciation and portfolio building, more metro areas for business opportunities and has no state income tax whatsoever.
Market #2: Tennessee (Drafted State)
- Median Home Price (Nashville metro): ~$450,000
- Property Tax Rate: ~0.6%
- State Income Tax: 0%
- Cost of Living: Manageable compared to coastal NFL markets
- Market Trend: 5-8% annual appreciation (Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro)
Pros
- 0% state income tax
- No tax on signing bonus
- Explosive Nashville real estate growth
- Strong rental demand
- Perfect alignment with where he plays
- Business‑friendly environment
Cons
- Nashville prices rising quickly
- Insurance costs increasing in some counties
Tennessee is not the perfect state, all 50 of them come with some sort of issues that will annoy each person differently, but for Faulk’s financials and rookie contract, residing in Tennessee would be the better choice.
He could retain 6-figures in net-income that would have gone to taxes, invest his signing bonus into the stock market and real estate, and use the Nashville and Titans market to maximize his earnings while he’s in the league. He could also silently build a large property portfolio in Alabama that he could then return to after he is done with his high-earning days.
Best Housing/Rental Markets
Alabama
- Best housing markets: Huntsville, Birmingham suburbs, Prattville
- Best rental markets: Montgomery, Birmingham
- Appreciation: 3-5% annually
Alabama does not have large metros like coastal regions or Nashville in Tennessee, but for someone that wants to live in peace and away from the hustle and bustle; especially someone from the state who understands how the area works and where things are, Faulk could build a 8-figure net worth while playing football and then disappear from the city and the public eye, while chilling back in Alabama on a massive 100-acre+ property.
Or, he could decide he wants to move to Miami after he’s done and get lit. That is entirely up to him when the time comes, but for his NFL days, where he resides should be where he will spend the most of his time (or half at minimum), that also gives him the best chance to compound his net worth and net earnings.
For more on how residency choices impact not just athletes contracts, but your own life, yes you, check out the APSM Tax & Residency Playbook.
Tennessee
- Best housing markets: Nashville (Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville), Murfreesboro
- Best rental markets: Nashville metro
- Appreciation: 5-8% annually
Residency Impact on Faulk’s Signing Bonus
- Gross Signing Bonus: $8,900,000
- Federal Tax (37%): $5,607,000
| Residency State | State Tax Rate | State Tax on Bonus | Estimated Net Signing Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 0% | $0 | ~$5.607M |
| Alabama | 5.0% | ~$445,000 | ~$5.162M |
Tennessee could potentially save Faulk ~$445,000 vs Alabama. That’s nearly half a million dollars that can compound for a decade or more into millions.
Investment Scenario: Turning ~$5.6M Into Generational Wealth
Using the Tennessee residency net:
Estimated Net Signing Bonus (TN): ~$5,607,000
If he invests that entire amount into index funds, mutual funds or other similar proven vehicles:
| 5‑Year ROI | Projected Value |
|---|---|
| 10% | ~$9.0M |
| 12% | ~$9.8M |
| 15% | ~$11.2M |
| 20% | ~$14.0M |
This is how you turn a rookie contract into 8‑figure wealth before the second deal (extension year).
APSM Real Estate Verdict
Tennessee should be his primary residence.
Alabama should be his secondary market.
If Keldric Faulk wants to maximize his rookie earnings, protect his signing bonus, and build long‑term wealth, the APSM suggested move is:
- Establish Tennessee residency immediately.
- Buy smart in Nashville suburbs.
- Use Alabama for family/offseason ties.
- Invest aggressively from Day 1.
Faulk has one of the cleanest financial setups in the entire first round if he decides to invest in TN.
Suggested Real Estate Strategy for Keldric Faulk
- Primary residence: Tennessee (Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville)
- Secondary: Alabama property for family/offseason
- Work base: Nashville metro
- Invest: Signing bonus into index funds + Tennessee real estate
- Goal: Turn ~$5.6M into $9+ million by Year 5
The Bottom Line
Estimated state tax savings on signing bonus: ~$450,000.
Top targeted real estate market: Nashville Metro (5-7% annually).
For an elite defensive end landing at the No. 31 spot, career longevity is won on the field, but generational wealth is secured on the balance sheet.
By establishing immediate primary tax residency in Tennessee instead of holding onto his college/home ties in Alabama, Keldric Faulk completely bypasses state-level income tax on his $9 million signing bonus, keeping nearly a half-million dollars from being vaporized by state tax withholding.
Reinvesting that immediate liquidity into Nashville’s rapidly appreciating housing market establishes a bulletproof framework that maximizes his off-field wealth velocity from day one.
Tennessee Titans Players Residency & Tax Strategy FAQs
Where should Keldric Faulk establish his primary legal residency?
Financial modeling strongly indicates Keldric Faulk should establish his primary legal residency in Tennessee. Because Tennessee levies a 0% state income tax, declaring it as his primary tax domicile completely protects his $9 million NFL signing bonus and all future off-field corporate partnerships from state-level tax withholding.
How much money does Keldric Faulk save by avoiding Alabama residency?
If Faulk maintains his primary legal residency ties in Alabama, his contract would be subject to Alabama’s 5% top-tier state income tax bracket. By legally establishing primary residency in Tennessee, he saves an estimated $450,000 in state taxes on his signing bonus alone.
How do real estate appreciation rates compare between Nashville and Alabama?
The Nashville metropolitan area is a premier real estate market driven by massive regional corporate migration, yielding a strong 5% to 7% compound annual appreciation rate. In contrast, standard residential markets in Alabama average a slower 3% to 4% annual growth pattern, making Nashville properties a significantly more lucrative vehicle for a high-net-worth portfolio.
What is the recommended property playbook for an NFL rookie drafted by the Titans?
The optimal playbook is immediate anchoring by purchasing or leasing a primary residential property within the Nashville metro core during his active playing window to firmly solidify Tennessee tax residency. This legal status ensures that his core investment distributions and bonus structures compound completely free of state-level income tax drag.
Next Reads
- 2026 NFL Draft: Every 1st Round Contract Details, Net Income & Residency Analysis
- Nashville Tennessee is Titans #4 Pick Carnell Tate’s Financial Breakout Route: 2026 NFL Draft Rookie Real Estate & Residency Analysis
- Cam Ward’s Rookie Contract with the Tennessee Titans
- Alabama State Athlete Taxes
- Tennessee State Athlete Taxes
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute professional advice. APSM estimates are derived from publicly available information, tax assumptions, finance modeling, and industry-standard fee structures. Actual earnings may vary based on residency elections, private contract provisions, image/media rights agreements, bonuses, and tax filings.
