NIL
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NIL
Texas Tech Lands 5-Star Felix Ojo With $5.1M NIL Deal, Beating Out Texas, Ohio State
Texas Tech secured five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo on July 4 with a record-breaking $5.1 million NIL contract that made headlines across college football. The Red Raiders pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups in program history by landing the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and top offensive tackle, defeating powerhouse programs including Texas, […]

Texas Tech secured five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo on July 4 with a record-breaking $5.1 million NIL contract that made headlines across college football.
The Red Raiders pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups in program history by landing the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and top offensive tackle, defeating powerhouse programs including Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, and Florida.

Texas Tech Lands Five-Star Recruit with Record NIL Deal
Social media exploded when On3 Sports broke the news on Twitter, announcing that the 6’7″, 285-pound tackle from Mansfield Lake Ridge High School had inked the largest fully guaranteed NIL revenue-share agreement in college football history.
REPORT: 5-star OT Felix Ojo has inked a fully-guaranteed 3-year, $5.1 million revenue share deal with Texas Tech, per ESPN
https://t.co/IuLmz74erK https://t.co/EG5cDYOIkD pic.twitter.com/cBuev5Q5Oh
— On3 (@On3sports) July 4, 2025
According to his agent, the three-year deal worth $5.1 million features a significant escalator structure. Year one pays $1.2 million, year two reaches $1.6 million, and year three peaks at $2.1 million. This groundbreaking contract came just days after the federal settlement legalizing direct revenue-share payments took effect on July 1.
Rough breakdown of Felix Ojo’s deal includes a significant escalator, per his agent @Derrick__Shelby:
Year 1 – $1.2 million
Year 2 – $1.6 million
Year 3 – $2.1 million https://t.co/rgweK3oYmp https://t.co/HU76KhYQDm— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) July 4, 2025
The timing proves crucial for Texas Tech’s aggressive NIL strategy, which already paid dividends after the program invested over $10 million in transfer portal additions in early 2025. The Matador Club’s willingness to offer seven-figure deals across multiple sports established the Red Raiders as serious players in the new NIL landscape.
Historic Commitment Transforms Red Raiders Recruiting
Ojo’s commitment represented a massive upset as he selected Texas Tech over his final four schools. The Longhorns and Buckeyes were considered co-favorites throughout the process, making his decision even more surprising for college football analysts.
The elite prospect ranks as the No. 5 overall player in the 2026 class according to 247Sports Composite, while ESPN rates him No. 4 in their ESPN 300. His commitment makes him the highest-rated signee in Texas Tech program history, surpassing previous recruiting milestones for the Big 12 program.
Ojo’s addition transforms the Red Raiders’ 2026 recruiting class, with the latest available rankings showing a major jump but not universally to 23rd nationally or 1st in the Big 12. Some sources have Texas Tech ranked as high as 23rd and 1st in the Big 12, while others show a current rank of 29th nationally and 1st in the Big 12. The class average rating improvement reflects the significant talent upgrade that comes with landing a five-star prospect.
Beyond recruiting rankings, the impact extends to on-field performance expectations. Research shows each five-star recruit contributes approximately 0.306 additional wins per season, making Ojo’s presence valuable for Texas Tech’s competitive outlook. His position at left tackle will dramatically improve pass protection and create better opportunities for the running game under Coach Joey McGuire’s offensive system.
The signing establishes Texas Tech’s commitment to competing at the highest level in college football while setting new benchmarks for NIL deals across the sport. College football programs nationwide are watching how this unprecedented contract structure influences future recruiting battles and player compensation models.
Ojo is expected to arrive on campus in the summer of 2026 and immediately compete for a starting role on the offensive line. His presence should provide immediate impact for a program looking to establish itself as a consistent Big 12 contender under McGuire’s leadership.
NIL
Texas Tech Signs 5-Star Felix Ojo in $5M NIL Deal
Share Tweet Share Share Email Felix Ojo, a consensus five-star offensive tackle ranked among the top prospects nationally in the 2026 class, committed to Texas Tech on July 4th over heavyweights like Texas, Ohio State, Florida, and Michigan. The standout from Mansfield, Texas, has reportedly landed a fully guaranteed revenue-sharing contract valued at $5.1 million […]

Felix Ojo, a consensus five-star offensive tackle ranked among the top prospects nationally in the 2026 class, committed to Texas Tech on July 4th over heavyweights like Texas, Ohio State, Florida, and Michigan.
The standout from Mansfield, Texas, has reportedly landed a fully guaranteed revenue-sharing contract valued at $5.1 million over three years—a deal believed to be among the most lucrative in college football history, per ESPN’s Eli Lederman.
The NIL agreement includes a structured payout that escalates over the term—beginning at approximately $1.2 million in Year One and growing to about $2.1 million in Year Three, per On3’s Pete Nakos.
At 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, Ojo brings pro-level size and upside to Lubbock, where he becomes the highest-rated recruit in program history. He arrives as the second-ranked tackle and top in-state prospect in Texas for 2026, according to composite rankings that place him among the nation’s top-five overall recruits.
Texas Tech’s aggressive NIL strategy has paid off again, helping fuel their climb in recruiting rankings and strengthen a roster already bolstered by a top-tier portal class this past off-season.
The Red Raiders are now ranked in the Top 25 in the country in the 247Sports 2026 Class rankings. Texas Tech also jumped BYU for the top spot in the Big 12 Conference.

NIL
STUNNER
Texas Tech secured five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo on July 4 with a record-breaking $5.1 million NIL contract that made headlines across college football. The Red Raiders pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups in program history by landing the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and top offensive tackle, defeating powerhouse programs including Texas, […]

Texas Tech secured five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo on July 4 with a record-breaking $5.1 million NIL contract that made headlines across college football.
The Red Raiders pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups in program history by landing the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and top offensive tackle, defeating powerhouse programs including Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, and Florida.

Texas Tech Lands Five-Star Recruit with Record NIL Deal
Social media exploded when On3 Sports broke the news on Twitter, announcing that the 6’7″, 285-pound tackle from Mansfield Lake Ridge High School had inked the largest fully guaranteed NIL revenue-share agreement in college football history.
REPORT: 5-star OT Felix Ojo has inked a fully-guaranteed 3-year, $5.1 million revenue share deal with Texas Tech, per ESPN
https://t.co/IuLmz74erK https://t.co/EG5cDYOIkD pic.twitter.com/cBuev5Q5Oh
— On3 (@On3sports) July 4, 2025
According to his agent, the three-year deal worth $5.1 million features a significant escalator structure. Year one pays $1.2 million, year two reaches $1.6 million, and year three peaks at $2.1 million. This groundbreaking contract came just days after the federal settlement legalizing direct revenue-share payments took effect on July 1.
Rough breakdown of Felix Ojo’s deal includes a significant escalator, per his agent @Derrick__Shelby:
Year 1 – $1.2 million
Year 2 – $1.6 million
Year 3 – $2.1 million https://t.co/rgweK3oYmp https://t.co/HU76KhYQDm— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) July 4, 2025
The timing proves crucial for Texas Tech’s aggressive NIL strategy, which already paid dividends after the program invested over $10 million in transfer portal additions in early 2025. The Matador Club’s willingness to offer seven-figure deals across multiple sports established the Red Raiders as serious players in the new NIL landscape.
Historic Commitment Transforms Red Raiders Recruiting
Ojo’s commitment represented a massive upset as he selected Texas Tech over his final four schools. The Longhorns and Buckeyes were considered co-favorites throughout the process, making his decision even more surprising for college football analysts.
The elite prospect ranks as the No. 5 overall player in the 2026 class according to 247Sports Composite, while ESPN rates him No. 4 in their ESPN 300. His commitment makes him the highest-rated signee in Texas Tech program history, surpassing previous recruiting milestones for the Big 12 program.
Ojo’s addition transforms the Red Raiders’ 2026 recruiting class, with the latest available rankings showing a major jump but not universally to 23rd nationally or 1st in the Big 12. Some sources have Texas Tech ranked as high as 23rd and 1st in the Big 12, while others show a current rank of 29th nationally and 1st in the Big 12. The class average rating improvement reflects the significant talent upgrade that comes with landing a five-star prospect.
Beyond recruiting rankings, the impact extends to on-field performance expectations. Research shows each five-star recruit contributes approximately 0.306 additional wins per season, making Ojo’s presence valuable for Texas Tech’s competitive outlook. His position at left tackle will dramatically improve pass protection and create better opportunities for the running game under Coach Joey McGuire’s offensive system.
The signing establishes Texas Tech’s commitment to competing at the highest level in college football while setting new benchmarks for NIL deals across the sport. College football programs nationwide are watching how this unprecedented contract structure influences future recruiting battles and player compensation models.
Ojo is expected to arrive on campus in the summer of 2026 and immediately compete for a starting role on the offensive line. His presence should provide immediate impact for a program looking to establish itself as a consistent Big 12 contender under McGuire’s leadership.
NIL
Urban Meyer thinks Florida State Seminoles football may be in serious trouble
The Florida State Seminoles have come under fire recently as the entire college football world ushers in a new NIL era of revenue sharing. As of July 1, schools across the country have adopted a new model that allows them to negotiate and pay players directly, a practice previously handled through third-party collectives and endorsements. […]

The Florida State Seminoles have come under fire recently as the entire college football world ushers in a new NIL era of revenue sharing. As of July 1, schools across the country have adopted a new model that allows them to negotiate and pay players directly, a practice previously handled through third-party collectives and endorsements.
The problem described by one Big 10 general manager as “not normal” arose from the generally “aggressive” fine print that Florida State has included in its preliminary player contracts. For instance, an athlete can be charged up to $2,500 for losing equipment or face a total contract termination due to injury, according to Chris Hummer of CBS Sports.
While the Seminoles attempt to maneuver in the new NIL landscape, multiple figureheads in the college football world have spoken out. The Triple-Option host Mark Ingram has openly criticized the specific language used in the contracts, saying it could deter Florida State from landing some of the nation’s top talent.
READ MORE: FSU football loses four-star WR target to fellow ACC program
“Players aren’t going to go there because, for one, this contract gives Florida State way too much control over your future and your money. It exposes you to risk, injury, discipline, loss of leverage,” Ingram said. “All that. So, if you’re a top player and you’ve got Florida State as your top university and they give you this, I’m sure there’s another university that is going to give you better conditions and treat you like a partner, not an asset.”
Sportscaster and former head coach Urban Meyer also viewed the contract details with hesitation, stating that the power struggle approaching between universities and student-athletes is unforeseen and will hurt recruiting. He went on to express skepticism about the entire ordeal, saying that Florida State’s “days are numbered” if the contracts are finalized.
“I think what’s happening is the pendulum swung so far that the players could leave anytime, unlimited transfers, NIL, no limitations, no guardrails, and now it’s swinging backa nd some people that shouldn’t be involved are getting too involved and they’re putting this power struggle that I’ve never seen anything like that,” Meyer said. “Recruiting, it’s over. You can’t recruit, and in case you haven’t noticed, college football is about recruiting.”
“I’ll make this statement,” Urban Meyer said. “If this is legit, if this goes through, which I’m so skeptical, then the days of Florida State are numbered. It won’t happen. It can’t happen. No chance.”
Florida State released a statement defending its new contract proposals and emphasized its commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships. They acknowledged the uniqueness of each situation’s circumstances.
“As we enter into a new age of collegiate athletics, Florida State has put together an agreement that provides deliverables and expectations for all parties,” the statement read. “Each individual situation will be unique, and the hypotheticals are impossible to predict. However, we are committed to continuing to provide an elite experience for our student-athletes in all aspects of their collegiate career. Florida State is looking forward to the mutually beneficial partnerships with our student-athletes in this new era.”
Still, as the NIL era evolves, Florida State finds itself at yet another crossroads. While the university defends its approach moving forward, critics argue that the language being used may alienate the athletes that it is trying to attract. Whether the ‘Noles will be trailblazing into the new NIL era remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: clarity and trust are starting to become just as valuable as compensation.
READ MORE: Cornerback prospect shuts down recruitment, sticks with Florida State
Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the offseason
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NIL
Felix Ojo commits to Texas Tech: Red Raiders pull off recruiting stunner landing No. 5 prospect in 2026 class
The fireworks came with a twist in Texas on Friday as five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo — the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2026 class — surprised by committing to Texas Tech on the Fourth of July. The Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge standout had been heavily pursued by Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas, […]

The fireworks came with a twist in Texas on Friday as five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo — the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2026 class — surprised by committing to Texas Tech on the Fourth of July. The Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge standout had been heavily pursued by Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas, but he ultimately chose the Red Raiders in a stunning late turn of events.
Derrick Shelby, Ojo’s agent, revealed to ESPN that his client received a three-year, $5.1 million revenue-sharing deal to join the Red Raiders.
Ojo ranks as the No. 5 overall prospect in the class by 247Sports, giving Texas Tech a major boost in recruiting while reinforcing its status as one of the top NIL spenders in college football. That investment has already paid off, helping the Red Raiders land blue-chip talent like Ojo and assemble one of the most expensive transfer classes in the country this past cycle. The program’s aggressive NIL strategy underscores its intent to turn Lubbock into a legitimate football powerhouse – a vision strongly pushed by coach Joey McGuire, whose recruiting efforts have reshaped the program’s national profile.
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Not only is Ojo the first blue-chip commitment in Texas Tech’s 2026 class, he now ranks as the highest-rated pledge in program history. He surpasses former five-star wide receiver Micah Hudson, who rejoined the Red Raiders in April after a short stint at Texas A&M. If Ojo ultimately signs and enrolls, the pair would stand as the only 247Sports Composite five-star prospects to ever join Texas Tech directly out of high school.
Ojo becomes the eighth commitment in the 2026 class for Texas Tech since the beginning of June and 18th overall. Prior to his pledge, the Red Raiders sat at No. 36 in the team recruiting rankings, but they vault to No. 23 following the splash pickup. Texas Tech has finished among the top 25 of the 247Sports Composite team rankings just twice (2024, 2011) during the modern recruiting era.
Ojo holds more than 50 known offers, with the majority coming from top Power Five programs. Notably, Texas Tech was among the first to extend an offer back in January 2024 — well before his recruitment exploded on the national stage.
MORE: Behind the scenes of Felix Ojo’s stunning Texas Tech commitment
Despite being young for his class, Ojo has plug-and-play potential at offensive tackle if he can expand his 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame. He brings a rare blend of length, athleticism and upside to the position, showing “excellent physical tools and relative youth,” according to 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks, who noted Ojo’s lean frame, movement ability and high ceiling as a future high-major, multi-year starter with pro potential.
What’s next for Texas after losing out on key commit
While this is a massive win for Texas Tech, it’s just as much of a loss for Texas, which hasn’t signed a five-star offensive lineman since landing Kelvin Banks Jr. and DJ Campbell in the 2022 class. Banks became a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, while Campbell is expected to depart after this upcoming season.
“The Longhorns went into this cycle saying, ‘Ojo is our guy. He is our No. 1 guy. We cannot miss on him,'” 247Sports national recruiting analyst Mike Roach said earlier this week on The 105 with Andrew Ivins & Cooper Petagna. “The Longhorns missed on a historic tackle class in Texas last year with Lamont Rogers, Ty Haywood and Michael Fasusi going elsewhere.
“Texas built the offensive line that took them to the last two College Football Playoffs in the 2022 cycle. That was an incredible class, but they have not recruited near that level since. They need to re-energize that room.”
Texas still has until the early signing period in December to try to sway Ojo, but their options are limited if it is unable to. The Longhorns currently have just two offensive line prospects — both rated three-stars — and with Ojo’s commitment, only three offensive linemen in the current Top247 remain uncommitted.
NIL
Horns247’s July 4th Decision Day primer
It’s decision day for three in-state Texas targets: Aledo Top247 WR Kaydon Finley, Mansfield Lake Ridge five-star OT Felix Ojo, and North Crowley Top247 IOL John Turntine III. Here’s what you need to know heading into each announcement. Kaydon Finley, 4-star WR, Aledo Height/Weight: 6-foot, 2o0 pounds Rating: No. 110 overall prospect, No. 14 wide receiver, and […]

It’s decision day for three in-state Texas targets: Aledo Top247 WR Kaydon Finley, Mansfield Lake Ridge five-star OT Felix Ojo, and North Crowley Top247 IOL John Turntine III.
Here’s what you need to know heading into each announcement.
Kaydon Finley, 4-star WR, Aledo
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 2o0 pounds
Rating: No. 110 overall prospect, No. 14 wide receiver, and No. 15 overall prospect in the state of Texas per the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Scouting report:
“Massively productive receiver with a solid, sturdy build in the 6-foot, 200-pound range and gifted with big hands. Strong football pedigree as the son of a former standout pass-catching tight end at the high-major college and NFL level (Jermichael Finley). Know-how shows in route-running acumen, in-the-air ability, and run-after-catch toughness. Three-sport experience that includes basketball and track and field. Explosive testing numbers in broad jump and vertical categories. Physical pass catcher who transfers that play style to RAC situations. Still developing more juice at the top end, but initial juice consistently eats up cushion to get on top of DBs. Capable of playing outside or in the slot. Could potentially excel as a short-to-intermediate chain mover who can break chunk plays with that aforementioned RAC ability. Build and run strength suggest possible wildcat option if desired. Projects as a valuable asset in a high-major receiver room who could follow family footsteps to the pro level.”
Schools in contention: Arizona State, Notre Dame, Texas, Texas A&M
Crystal Ball: 100 percent Notre Dame
Announcement time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Announcement method: Social media — X: @KaydonFinley… Instagram: @kaydon.finley18
What Horns247 makes of his recruitment:
The Texas legacy was one of the first prospects in the 2026 cycle to pick up an offer from the Longhorns. The burnt orange were in great standing for most of the time since, but eventually Notre Dame weaseled into the recruitment and went from dark horse to legitimate contender after hosting Finley for several unofficial visits earlier this spring. The Fighting Irish made a savvy move by getting Finley to campus for an unofficial visit in early June about a week and half before his Notre Dame official visit, and the Fighting Irish have been trending since and have weathered the storm that was Finley’s June 20-22 official visit to Texas. Horns247 likes Notre Dame ahead of the evening decision.
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