NIL

College Football post

Published

8 months ago

May 13, 2025

Spring practices are finished across the country, and the college football transfer portal is closed. That means it’s time to reevaluate teams ahead of the 2025 season now that we have a better idea of their rosters and who will start at each position.

If you don’t like where your team is ranked. Don’t worry. We’ll do it again in August as fall camp opens.

This isn’t the super-team era anymore. With that in mind, look at what Penn State is bringing back from a team that was a drive away from going to the national title game last season. They have a quarterback in Drew Allar who may be a top-5 pick in the NFL Draft next year, the best running back duo in the country in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, along with one of the best edge rushers in Dani Dennis-Sutton. Oh, and Penn State addressed its receiver problem by picking up Kyron Hudson (USC), Devonte Ross (Troy) and, most recently, Trebor Pena (Syracuse) in the portal. Why shouldn’t Penn State be No. 1?

There seem to be a lot of people who question whether Arch Manning is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in college football. But, for sake of argument, let’s say he isn’t. Have people been paying attention to the level of talent the Longhorns possess this year? There is a game-breaker at almost every position group and there are a handful of players — Colin Simmons, Manning, Anthony Hill and, gulp, Ryan Wingo — who could emerge as big stars. Texas could be No. 1 and get zero argument from me.

For some reason, Clemson has the eighth-best odds to win the national championship and is sitting at around 20-1 to win it all. That’s value, because when you look at the Tigers, there’s a lot to like. They almost feel like a virtual lock to win the ACC. Quarterback Cade Klubnik returns after seeing it click last year, he has a group of talented receivers to target and the Tigers have the best defensive line in the country. Dabo Swinney won the ACC last year with a solid team. What will he do with a loaded one?

Ohio State had perhaps the last super roster of this era in college football last year. The Buckeyes lost a ton of talent after capturing the national title, evident in the 14 players selected in the NFL Draft. Yet, Ohio State still has the best offensive player (wide receiver Jeremiah Smith) and defensive player (safety Caleb Downs) in the country. Ohio State may be closer in talent to the other good teams this year, but the Buckeyes will unequivocally be in the College Football Playoff hunt yet again in 2025.

Brian Kelly isn’t Mr. Popular, but he’s unequivocally been a successful college coach during his career. Though things haven’t gone according to plan in his first three years at LSU, we’re at the point where it’s starting to feel like he needs to win big. The good news is he has one of the best quarterbacks in Garrett Nussmeier, and the Tigers added 18 players in the transfer portal, many of whom fill in areas of need. If LSU can fix its defense, it should be in the mix in the SEC.

Kirby Smart is the best coach in college football and he deserves our benefit of the doubt, so I’m willing to look past the feeling in my gut that the Bulldogs will have an underwhelming offense again in 2025 in handing over the quarterback reigns to Gunner Stockton. Georgia has amassed a level of talent on an annual basis no other program can boast, has developed like mad men and has produced winners. Oh, and with linebackers CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson, safety KJ Bolden and cornerback Daylen Everette, the Bulldogs defense should be nasty.

Notre Dame broke through last year and proved to the world that it was capable of doing what everyone has universally doubted — beat the best teams in the sport in the postseason. And Notre Dame did it last season with a banged-up roster. Notre Dame will have the best offensive line in college football, which will make the transition to quarterback CJ Carr much easier. Also, receiver Jaden Greathouse could emerge as a star this year and we know Notre Dame is going to have a tough and physical defense.

Alabama took a step back last year in its first season without Nick Saban, but how much does that say about Kalen DeBoer? The man has won everywhere he’s been. And now in year 2, DeBoer brings back basically his entire roster from last season. Yes, there is some concern about Ty Simpson and the quarterbacks, but Alabama has one of the best rosters in the sport and DeBoer is teaming up again with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Is this the year Alabama gets back to being Alabama?

The way Oregon’s season ended last year has left a bitter taste in peoples’ mouths as it pertains to analyzing them, but don’t read too much into what happened against Ohio State. The Ducks did lose a lot of talent after last year, but they have been recruiting like gangbusters and brought in some big-time transfers like running back Makhi Hughes (Tulane), offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon (USC) and safety Dillon Thieneman (Purdue). Oregon is going to be very good again this season.

Illinois isn’t this year’s Indiana because the entire sport sees the Fighting Illini coming. Nobody is going to be surprised by Bret Bielema‘s team, especially because it returns virtually everyone from a squad that won 10 games a year ago. Quarterback Luke Altmyer is a stud and they brought in West Virginia receiver transfer Hudson Clement to eat up a lot of targets. Some people may roll their eyes when they see Illinois this high, but the Fighting Illini have a real chance to make the CFP this year if things go right.

Doubt all you want, but it’s my prediction that DJ Lagway will be the best player in college football by November. Though there is some concern about the time he’s missed this offseason recovering from injury, his recovery has reportedly progressed without any hitches. Florida also has big-time true freshman receiver Dallas Wilson and a defense that improved as last year went on. Florida has an incredibly difficult schedule, but the Gators have a chance to shock people this year.

It feels like ancient history now because BYU didn’t make the CFP last year, but the Cougars spent the entire season leading the Big 12. Though BYU ran out of gas at the end of the year, it has quarterback Jake Retzlaff, running back LJ Martin and receivers Chase Roberts and Keelon Marion returning. The defenses has some pieces to replace, especially after linebacker Harrison Taggart transferred to California this spring, but the Cougars should be considered the Big 12 favorites heading into the year.

Speaking of favorites to win the Big 12, here comes Arizona State checking in one spot behind BYU. The Sun Devils won the Big 12 a year ago, in large part because of tailback Cam Skattebo‘s heroic performances. But Arizona State returns underrated quarterback Sam Leavitt and receiver Jordyn Tyson is an explosive playmaker. The defense also returns 10 starters. Arizona State is going to be in the conference race until the end.

Florida is pretty high in these rankings because of an all-world quarterback who is set to break out this year. Well, South Carolina has one of those in LaNorris Sellers, who has spent the entire offseason being compared to Lagway. The Gamecocks also have one of the best defenders in the country in defensive end Dylan Stewart. South Carolina brought in transfers like defensive tackle Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (Texas A&M), linebacker Shawn Murphy (Florida State) and cornerback Brandon Cisse (NC State) to bolster the defensive side of the ball.

Auburn lost a bunch of games last season that could be boiled down to incompetent quarterback play, so coach Hugh Freeze wasn’t taking any risks. It brought in transfers Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma) and Ashton Daniels (Stanford) and signed big-time freshman Deuce Knight. Arnold is expected to start, but Freeze has options. Oh, and whoever wins the quarterback job will be throwing to Cam Coleman and Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton. Auburn played tough and hung in the SEC last year. If it fixes its offense, the Tigers could be much better than people think.

Can you buy a good football team? Texas Tech donor Cody Campbell is about to find out. The billionaire oil baron sponsored Texas Tech’s NIL pursuit and the Red Raiders adding more than 20 players in the portal to help solidify a leaky defense. Texas Tech may have the most talented roster in the Big 12 heading into the season, but now Joey McGuire needs to put the pieces together to form a functional team.

Everyone is down on Oklahoma after a disaster season a year ago. Are they too down on the Sooners? First, Brent Venables went out and got the most influential transfer in the portal in quarterback John Mateer from Washington State. He brought offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle with him. Oklahoma also added running back Jadyn Ott from Cal. If Oklahoma’s offensive line is much improved, the Sooners should have a big turnaround this year, though they do have the hardest schedule in college football.

There is no nice way to say it. Michigan’s offense was downright terrible a year ago. And even so, the Wolverines were competitive in every game and even beat Ohio State before the Buckeyes rolled to the national championship. Michigan also signed five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who I believe will wind up starting this season. If Michigan can have a halfway decent offense this year, the Wolverines should be a tough out every week in the Big Ten.

A year ago at this time, Ole Miss was the team who spent a boatload of money in the NIL space to go all-in on the 2024 season. The Rebels drubbed Georgia at home at the end of last season, but choked one off against Florida after and didn’t even make the CFP. But in that Georgia game you got a glimpse of the future in quarterback Austin Simmons, who may actually be a star. Ole Miss has something to prove, though it comes into the season with much less fanfare than it had last fall.

It’s hard to figure what to make of Miami. This feels like it could be too low, but I’m admittedly not the guy who thinks Carson Beck is going to will Miami to the CFP. If the Hurricanes couldn’t do it last year with Cam Ward, Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George and Damien Martinez, why would they this year? Well, the Hurricanes should have nasty lines and they did some work plugging holes in the spring portal window. If Miami has a much better defense, maybe they’ll start lower and finish higher than last year’s team.

SMU was one of the teams who took the country by storm last year. Now the Mustangs return a large port of the team that made the CFP last season, including quarterback Kevin Jennings. Though Jennings played terribly in the CFP loss at Penn State, he could be one of the most sensational quarterbacks in the sport with a step forward.

Louisville got USC transfer quarterback Miller Moss in the portal and now the Cardinals are putting a lot on his shoulders. Moss does join a team with one of the best running backs in the country in Isaac Brown and the Cardinals are expecting a ton from receiver Caullin Lacy. The defense may be leaky, but Jeff Brohm has proven to always get the most out of his roster. This roster is good enough to be a problem in the ACC if things come together.

Are people down on quarterback Avery Johnson? Some are. But if you actually look close, he is a freak of nature athlete who could stand to take a huge step forward in production this year. Kansas State, a fixture in the Big 12 race last year, added offensive coordinator Matt Wells to help him along.

Tennessee got blindsided this spring when quarterback Nico Iamaleava left the program after an NIL dispute. This team wasn’t one that was coming into the year as a national title dark horse, but the Volunteers needed to act fast to shore up the quarterback room. They landed UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar, who ironically lost the job he transferred from Appalachian State to take when Iamaleava chose the Bruins. Tennessee still has enough talent to be ranked.

Trying to figure out what Texas A&M is going to be is a fun offseason game every year. A lot falls on the shoulders of quarterback Marcel Reed, who will go into his second year as the starter in College Station. He has two really good running backs in Le’Veon Moss and Reuben Owens and the Aggies got NC State receiver transfer KC Concepcion. They have to replace a lot of talent along the defensive front, but the Aggies brought in a handful of transfers to ease those worries. If Texas A&M is good this year, it could completely mess up the SEC.

Next 5: Indiana, Iowa State, Utah, Washington and Baylor

NIL

Urban Meyer predicts winner of college football national championship

Published

33 minutes ago

January 13, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Indiana (No. 1) crushed No. 5 Oregon 56–22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal, forcing multiple first-half turnovers, dominating in all three phases, and improving to 15–0.

Miami (No. 10) survived a 31–27 Fiesta Bowl win over No. 6 Ole Miss, with quarterback Carson Beck’s late 3-yard scramble sealing the outcome after earlier College Football Playoff victories over Texas A&M and defending national champion Ohio State.

Miami’s College Football Playoff berth carried nearly as much drama as its postseason run.

Both the Hurricanes and Notre Dame finished the regular season 10–2, but despite ranking ahead of Miami for much of the year, the Irish were left out of the field, in large part because of Miami’s head-to-head win earlier in the season.

The decision sparked national debate about CFP criteria and the weight of head-to-head results.

Since then, Miami has done nothing but validate the committee’s call, advancing to the national title game, now just one win away.

The CFP national championship is set for January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, pitting Indiana against Miami.

On Monday’s episode of “The Triple Option” podcast, former head coach Urban Meyer praised Indiana’s coaching, offensive line, and efficiency on film, ultimately picking the Hoosiers to win the title.

“I think Indiana wins by 9,” Meyer said. “I think Vegas is right on the point spread, but I think Miami plays their [expletive] off at home.”

Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Aiden Fisher (4) raises the trophy. — Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Aiden Fisher (4) with quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15), wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13), and Indiana Hoosiers defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe (17) | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Indiana powered an unblemished run under second-year head coach Curt Cignetti, transforming a 3–9 program into Big Ten champions.

The Hoosiers stacked signature road wins over Iowa, Oregon, and Penn State, dismantled Alabama 38–3 in the quarterfinals, and overwhelmed the Ducks again in the Peach Bowl semifinal.

Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza has driven a balanced, physical attack that has dominated all season, throwing for 3,349 yards and 41 touchdowns while adding 284 rushing yards, six scores, and a 73% completion rate across 15 games.

Miami’s path has been far different, as the No. 10 seed fought through adversity to reach 13–2, upsetting Ohio State, beating Texas A&M, and edging Ole Miss 31–27 behind an elite scoring defense allowing just 14.0 points per game, the fifth-fewest nationally.

Indiana enters as the consensus favorite, listed by most sportsbooks as 8.5-point favorites with a 48.5-point total.

With Indiana’s balanced attack facing Miami’s opportunistic defense, the matchup likely hinges on tempo: the Hoosiers aim to dictate the pace while the Hurricanes seek pressure and takeaways.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

NIL

$1.8 million transfer QB expected to visit sixth college football program

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Beau Pribula, the former Penn State transfer who started the 2025 season at Missouri, announced his decision to re-enter the NCAA transfer portal on December 18 and has been conducting an active visit cycle since.

Over the last week, On3’s Pete Nakos has tracked visits to Nebraska, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech, along with a stop at Washington amid uncertainty within the Huskies’ quarterback room, followed by a visit to Tennessee.

However, on Sunday, Nakos reported that Pribula is now expected to visit Virginia next.

“The former Penn State transfer has made visits to Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Washington, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee over the last week. He’s expected to visit Virginia next,” Nakos wrote.

“The Cavaliers could offer to come in and be the starter for Tony Elliott’s program. Tennessee is expected to wait for a decision on Joey Aguilar’s court ruling on Monday, regarding his eligibility under NCAA JUCO rules.”

After spending his first three college seasons as a backup at Penn State, Pribula started at Missouri for the 2025 season, finishing the year with 1,941 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while adding 297 rushing yards, six rushing scores, and a 67.4% completion rate.

A native of York, Pennsylvania, Pribula signed with Penn State in December 2021 as a three-star recruit and the No. 27 quarterback in the 2022 class per 247Sports, drawing more than a dozen additional offers, including Nebraska, Northwestern, Rutgers, and Syracuse.

After redshirting as a freshman and seeing limited game action over the following two seasons behind Drew Allar, Pribula sought a change of scenery, and now, after proving his dual-threat capability in the SEC, Pribula is seeking another opportunity to further elevate his profile.

For prospective programs, it is also worth noting that Pribula is among the more marketable players currently in the portal, carrying an NIL valuation of approximately $1.8 million according to On3, a factor that could influence where he ultimately lands.

Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula. — Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) warms up before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

All of the programs Pribula has visited present distinct opportunities and varying levels of appeal.

Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech both face recent turnover at quarterback and are seeking experienced portal options who can operate their systems and provide immediate competition.

Nebraska, under Matt Rhule, has also been active in the portal as it looks to add veteran depth and competition following the departure of starter Dylan Raiola to Oregon.

Pribula visited Washington amid uncertainty within the Huskies’ quarterback room surrounding Demond Williams, a situation that has created a potential opening for an experienced transfer.

Tennessee, meanwhile, has been monitoring eligibility developments involving other candidates, including Joey Aguilar, while keeping Pribula firmly on its radar.

Virginia, however, may offer one of the more intriguing fits as the Cavaliers have reportedly been targeting a veteran, pro-style, dual-threat quarterback who can compete for a Day 1 starting role under fourth-year head coach Tony Elliott.

The opportunity for immediate playing time, combined with proximity to Pribula’s Mid-Atlantic recruiting footprint, adds to Virginia’s appeal.

NIL

College Football’s Semi-Pro Economy & Why the NFL Draft Isn’t a Sure Thing

Published

2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

College football is in its semi-pro era, reshaping the NFL Draft calculus as quarterbacks weigh guaranteed NIL money against rookie contracts.

After four years at Georgia, quarterback Carson Beck declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 28, 2024, slated to make millions as a mid-round pick. But instead of taking that route, Beck entered the transfer portal on Jan. 9 and inked a $4 million deal to play out his final season of college eligibility at Miami, where he succeeded Heisman Trophy winner and eventual top pick Cam Ward. Now, Beck will play next week for a national championship as he’s still in line to make good NFL money at age 23, but now with a guaranteed $4 million in his pocket.

The passing of the House Settlement and the introduction of revenue sharing in Division I athletics have only enhanced this trend and the appeal of college football quarterbacks staying in school an extra year rather than try their luck in the NFL Draft. Alabama‘s Ty Simpson may be the perfect example of that. Despite declaring for the NFL Draft, at least three SEC teams reportedly have interest, with another school offering him up to $6.5 million to stay in college next season and enter the transfer portal prior to Friday’s deadline.

Despite ESPN grading Simpson as a late first-round or early second-round pick, $6.5 million is extremely appealing. NFL quarterback Tyler Shough, who the New Orleans Saints selected 40th overall in last year’s draft, got a four-year, $10.8 million contract, including a $4.5 million signing bonus. We seem to be approaching the point that, unless you’re guaranteed to be drafted in the first round, it might pay to stay in school an extra year, essentially making major college football a semi-pro outfit right now.

College basketball has experiencing a similar trend for years now. With the introduction of NIL, NCAA hoops stars like Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, Gonzaga’s Drew Timme, and North Carolina’s Armando Bacot made far more money by staying in school than they would have as an NBA second-round pick or G-Leaguer. Bacot signed a deal worth more than $1 million to play this year in Turkey with Fenerbahce, Timme is on a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers worth just over $500,000, and Tsiebwe has a similar arrangement with the Utah Jazz.

Were they still college eligible, they would’ve made more money. It’s why, as we reported, more EuroLeague-caliber talent are electing to come from overseas to college basketball teams. It’s why some players with G-League experience who are still college eligible are electing to go back to school. The money right now is just better.

Right now, schools can directly spend up to $20.5 million on their student-athletes, with the vast majority of that total allocated to football, their largest revenue-generating sport. But that $20.5 million number is expected to rise, and with it the amount that teams will likely offer to quarterbacks like Simpson and new Texas Tech starter Brendan Sorsby, whose record-breaking NIL deal we discussed last week. How long will it take until quarterbacks can make more money in college than they would as first-round NFL Draft picks?

Jaxson Dart, the 25th overall pick last year from Ole Miss, earned a signing bonus of just under $9 million as part of a four-year rookie contract worth just under $17 million. We may get to a point where these QBs get a larger guarantee to stay in school than a first-rounder would receive as a signing bonus, making it worth risking an injury in college that could wipe out potential future NFL earnings. It will take longer for players at other positions like running back and wide receiver, where second-round picks like Houston Texans wideout Jayden Higgins and Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins still got roughly $5 million to sign, still way more than they’d earn for a year in college.

Yet the fact that we’re even having this conversation at all indicates the direction college football is going in. It’s how wide receiver Cam Coleman, who doesn’t turn 20 until August, can leave Auburn for a transfer portal NIL deal at Texas of at least $2 million. We’re talking free agency for hundreds of college kids every year to make upwards of seven figures at their new destinations. If that’s not at least semi-professional sports, I’m not sure what is.

Now, all we can do is wait and see how far things go before the next wave of substantial changes hits college football in this ever-changing landscape that made it possible for Beck to accept, and Simpson to consider, an offer that made it more financially prudent to keep the NFL waiting for one more year.

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NIL

Commission rejected 500-plus NIL deals worth nearly $15 million

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Jan 12, 2026, 02:58 PM ET

The College Sports Commission has rejected nearly $15 million in name, image and likeness agreements since it started evaluating them over the summer, representing more than 10% of the value of all the deals it has analyzed and closed.

The CSC released its latest statistics Monday, saying it did not clear 524 deals worth $14.94 million, while clearing 17,321 worth $127.21 million. All the data was current as of Jan. 1.

The numbers came against the backdrop of a “reminder” memo the commission sent to athletic directors last week, citing “serious concerns” about contracts being offered to athletes before they had been cleared through the commission’s NIL Go platform.

The CSC is in charge of evaluating all deals worth more than $600 that are offered by third-party businesses that are often affiliated with the schools recruiting the players.

“Without prejudging any particular deal, the CSC has serious concerns about some of the deal terms being contemplated and the consequences of those deals for the parties involved,” the Friday night memo said.

The CSC said primary reasons for deals not being cleared were that they lacked a valid business purpose; they didn’t directly activate a player’s NIL rights, instead “warehousing” them for future use; and that players were being paid at levels that weren’t “commensurate with similarly situated individuals.”

The memo reminded ADs that signing players to deals that hadn’t been cleared by the CSC left the players “vulnerable to deals not being cleared, promises not being able to be kept, and eligibility being placed at risk.”

Other statistics from the latest report:

There were 10 deals in arbitration as of Dec. 31, eight of which have since been withdrawn. All involved a resolved administrative issue at one school not named by the CSC.

• 52% of deals submitted to NIL Go were resolved within 24 hours.

• 73% of deals reached resolution within seven days following submission of all required information.

• 56% of the 10,848 athletes who have at least one cleared deal play football or men’s basketball.

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SEC program predicted to have college football’s ‘first $40 million roster’

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

As the 2025 college football season comes to a close, programs across the country are in an all-out arms race to prepare to make title runs for next season.

While just about every program in college football is spending money on its roster, there are only a select few programs that are able to outspend anyone in their path. One of those programs is the Texas Longhorns, who, according to On3’s Rusty Mansell, are set to spend an unheard-of amount for next season.

Mansell, who runs On3’s DawgsHQ, revealed in a social media post on X that just one season after starting the year as the No. 1 team in college football and finishing with a 10-4 record, the Longhorns are expected to field a roster worth $40 million.

“Texas will have the first 40 million dollar roster, no doubt in my mind they are close to that in real salary,” wrote Mansell. “This is an ALL IN season for Sark, literally.”

The Longhorns have made notable transfer portal additions, such as the No. 1 wide receiver in Cam Coleman, No. 3 running back Hollywood Smothers and No. 1 linebacker Rasheem Biles. In addition to the top transfers joining the fold, the Longhorns also brought in the No. 10 recruiting class, which features three five-star recruits.

The roster, which is centered on former No. 1 overall recruit and nephew of NFL greats Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch Manning, is built to contend for a title. As Mansell alluded to, the Longhorns are fully equipped to contend for a championship, which means anything short of that would be a disappointment.

While Texas is reportedly set to become the first $40 million roster in college football, it isn’t the only program in college football spending the big bucks. It’s worth noting that there is a revenue-sharing cap of $20.5 million, but there isn’t necessarily a way to enforce it yet.

Other major NIL spenders in the college football transfer portal

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian. — Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian observes the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Thanks to the financial backing of a former player-turned-oil tycoon in Cody Campbell, the Red Raiders assembled a roster that led to their first-ever Big 12 Championship in program history. They were also able to make the program’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. In a report by ESPN, it was revealed that Texas Tech spent $7 million alone on the defensive line, which led by David Bailey’s 14.5 sacks, was one of the most feared in the country.

The Red Raiders lost in the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff to Oregon in a lopsided 23-0 loss, prompting many to say the Red Raiders need to spend big at quarterback to take the next step. Well, they did just that. Headlining their transfer class, which On3 ranks as its No. 2 portal class, is Cincinnati quarterback transfer, Brendan Sorsby, who reportedly cost them $5 million.

On3 reported that they spent around $28 million for this past season, and it appears they will spend as much, if not more, in 2026.

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes spent a reported $20 million to win their 2024 title, and while they aren’t going crazy this transfer portal cycle, they very well could be spending most of their money on roster retention and high school recruits. The Buckeyes have brought in just six transfers, but they did land the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in Chris Henry Jr.

According to Rivals, Ohio State’s 28-man recruiting class has an average NIL Valuation of $136,000. In addition to the costly new faces, they likely also had to restructure deals for notable players such as quarterback Julian Sayin and star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Oregon Ducks

Since players were allowed to profit from their NIL, the Oregon Ducks have been among the biggest players in this category. The program’s connection with Nike co-founder Phil Knight has certainly not gone unnoticed by top recruits, as Rivals reported that their No. 3 recruiting class, which features five five-star recruits, has the highest average NIL at $236,000.

If the Ducks haven’t hit that $40 million threshold yet, they will soon. Front Office Sports reported that their 2024 roster cost $23 million, while former Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy revealed that their 2025 roster cost $40 million before the Ducks beat his Cowboys 69-3.

Other Notable Big-Spending Programs:

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NIL

College watchdog group rejected 500-plus NIL deals worth nearly $15 million, but cleared many more

Published

5 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Your Sports Nation

The College Sports Commission has rejected nearly $15 million in name, image, likeness agreements since it started evaluating them over the summer, representing more than 10% of the value of all the deals it has analyzed and closed.

The CSC released its latest statistics Monday, saying it did not clear 524 deals worth $14.94 million, while clearing 17,321 worth $127.21 million. All the data was current as of Jan. 1.

The CSC is in charge of evaluating all deals worth more than $600 that are offered by third-party businesses that are often affiliated with the schools recruiting the players.

Other statistics from the latest report:

—There were 10 deals in arbitration as of Dec. 31, eight of which have since been withdrawn. All involved a resolved administrative issue at one school not named by the CSC.

—52% of deals submitted to NIL Go were resolved within 24 hours.

– 73% of deals reached resolution within seven days following submission of all required information.

–56% of the 10,848 athletes who have at least one cleared deal play football or men’s basketball.

___

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