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Texas Tech FB Commit Felix Ojo Lands Eye-Popping Revenue-Sharing Deal

Texas Tech commit Felix Ojo is one of the first big winners in the revenue-sharing world that has now begun in college sports. As part of his commitment to Texas Tech, the five-star offensive tackle recruit agreed to a three-year, $2.3 million revenue-sharing deal with the school, The Athletic reported. Ojo’s deal is believed to […]

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Texas Tech commit Felix Ojo is one of the first big winners in the revenue-sharing world that has now begun in college sports. As part of his commitment to Texas Tech, the five-star offensive tackle recruit agreed to a three-year, $2.3 million revenue-sharing deal with the school, The Athletic reported.

Ojo’s deal is believed to be one of the largest revenue-sharing agreements between a school and a student-athlete since the approval of the House v. NCAA settlement in June, which allowed schools and student-athletes to agree to revenue-sharing deals starting on July 1. The deal will pay Ojo $775,000 per year, according to The Athletic.

When news first broke about Ojo’s commitment, his agent, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management, told ESPN that the revenue-sharing deal he received was worth $5.1 million. While that figure isn’t fully guaranteed, Ojo’s revenue-sharing deal can climb to that number if there’s a large jump in the cap schools can spend on revenue-sharing deals with student-athletes, The Athletic added in its report. 

Entering the 2025-26 academic year, schools are allowed to spend roughly $20.5 million in revenue-sharing deals per year across all sponsored sports. However, that number is expected to increase on a yearly basis. 

Ojo can’t officially put pen to paper on his revenue-sharing agreement with Texas Tech just yet, though. Recruits can’t sign their revenue-sharing deals with schools until the signing period begins, which is Dec. 3 for FBS football. Student-athletes enrolled for the 2025-26 academic year could begin negotiating revenue-sharing deals with their current schools starting on July 1. 

Still, Ojo will likely become one of the richest players in college football, at least through revenue sharing, when he takes the field in 2026. To put his agreement in perspective, the total potential value of Ojo’s agreement ($5.1 million) would be equal to what a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft would make over the totality of their rookie deal, per Spotrac. Ojo could actually make more on a per-year basis than those players as well, as NFL rookie deals are four years long. 

“Football is a brutal sport, and athletes are not able to play professionally until their graduating class has been in college three years,” Shelby told ESPN of Ojo’s deal. “It was important to be able to secure Felix Ojo’s future and give him and his family some security as he continues to develop into a first-round NFL draft pick.”

Prior to landing Ojo in a rich revenue-sharing deal, Texas Tech has made major financial commitments in obtaining and securing student-athletes as of late in the name, image and likeness (NIL) era. Softball phenom NiJaree Canady has reportedly received two $1 million deals through Texas Tech’s NIL collective, reciting one to transfer from Stanford in 2024 and earning another to remain with the school in June. 

Basketball star JT Toppin also remained at Texas Tech following his All-American season in 2024-25 by reportedly signing a $3 million deal with the school’s NIL collective. That deal has made Toppin one of the most valuable players in all of college sports. 

Texas Tech’s JT Toppin has been one of the biggest beneficiaries in the school’s financial commitment to athletics. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

That spending has also carried into the football program. The Red Raiders spent more than $10 million through their NIL collective to land 21 players in the transfer portal this offseason, according to The Athletic. Its transfer portal class ranked as the second-best this offseason, via 247 Sports. 

Ojo, who also had offers from and visited Michigan, Texas, Florida, Ohio State and others, headlines a 2026 recruiting class that currently ranks 26th in the nation, via 247 Sports. He’s currently 247 Sports’ fifth-best prospect in the Class of 2026 and is the best recruit the program has ever landed, according to the recruiting service. 

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UW football plans to use NIL to enhance community engagement

Washington Huskies coach Jedd Fisch made it clear at Big Ten media days in Las Vegas this week that his program has everything he needs to make the Huskies a contender on an annual basis. Fisch noted UW athletic director Pat Chun and Deputy Athletic Director & Chief Operating Officer Erin O’Connell as two vital […]

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Washington Huskies coach Jedd Fisch made it clear at Big Ten media days in Las Vegas this week that his program has everything he needs to make the Huskies a contender on an annual basis.

Fisch noted UW athletic director Pat Chun and Deputy Athletic Director & Chief Operating Officer Erin O’Connell as two vital people with the university who have helped usher the football program from the old Pac-12 Conference to the Big Ten, viewed as a driving force in the new world of college athletics.

This past offseason, Fisch utilized the resources provided by the duo to increase the size of his football staff, including hiring a dedicated special teams coordinator in Chris Petrilli and hiring several other coaches for new positions.

“We are competing at the highest level,” Fisch said. “Whether that be through staff size, staff compensation, staff retention, player development, player rosters, and player compensation.”

Fisch also affirmed the previous stance UW has taken with respect to Name, Image, and Likeness, with community engagement at the forefront.

Under its partnership with Montlake Futures, the football team has heavily partnered with local non-profit organizations, including Girl Scouts of America, American Heart Association, and others, with the aim of having a more authentic, organic relationship for the players as they enter a new compensation world that previously hadn’t existed.



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David Pollack offers unfiltered take on Texas Tech’s $55 million NIL push

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are going all in on their college football roster this year in one of the offseason’s biggest surges. Much was made about national champion Ohio State’s $25 million roster that propelled the Buckeyes to the top of the sport last season. And Texas built what is believed to be a […]

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The Texas Tech Red Raiders are going all in on their college football roster this year in one of the offseason’s biggest surges.

Much was made about national champion Ohio State’s $25 million roster that propelled the Buckeyes to the top of the sport last season. And Texas built what is believed to be a 2025 roster worth $45 million headed into the upcoming season.

But Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire, general manager James Blanchard and billionaire booster/collective head Cody Campbell have reportedly surpassed those marks with a roster costing around $55 million this year.

The $20.5 million rev-share cap and lofty collective support have made the Red Raiders into a major NIL power.

College football analyst David Pollack, a former ESPN personality and three-time All-American at Georgia, isn’t surprised by the Red Raiders’ NIL spending spree.

“I’ve said this for years, the biggest beneficiary in NIL is the state of Texas because the money – it’s just very, very fluid there,” Pollack said on “See Ball Get Ball.” “And so they went out and spent $55 million – I think is the last number I saw – on their squad to ultra competitive. They spent hundreds of millions of dollars, actually 240-plus million, on their stadium that’s one of the best in the country.”

Texas Tech Red Raiders associate head coach Kenny Perry, head coach Joey McGuire and defensive line coach Zarnell Fitch

Texas Tech Red Raiders associate head coach Kenny Perry, head coach Joey McGuire and defensive line coach Zarnell Fitch / Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Campbell, who made his multi-billion dollar fortune in the Texas oil business, helped raise $242 million for renovations to Texas Tech’s Jones AT&T Stadium. It’s clear that the rising Big 12 program wants to be in national contention given the millions of dollars in NIL backing and significant improvement to the Red Raiders’ home turf.

“They got everything they own in the pot, saying ‘we’re going to try to win this league and make a name for ourselves,'” Pollack said.

Only time will tell if Texas Tech’s gamble will pay off, though, as McGuire and Co. have posted a 23-16 record over the last three seasons and are coming off an 8-5 finish in 2024.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for the 2025 season is creating cohesiveness within a roster that features 21 transfer players.

Texas Tech will open the season at home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+).



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Chris Hatcher, Samford moving to hire new chief of staff

The man who used to be college football’s youngest director of football operations is now among the sport’s youngest chiefs of staff. Caysey Colant is joining Chris Hatcher’s program as chief of staff for Samford football, FootballScoop has learned. This move comes in just a few short years since Colant defied the odds to become […]

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The man who used to be college football’s youngest director of football operations is now among the sport’s youngest chiefs of staff.

Caysey Colant is joining Chris Hatcher’s program as chief of staff for Samford football, FootballScoop has learned.

This move comes in just a few short years since Colant defied the odds to become the youngest director of football operations for any NCAA program, at the mere age of 20, when he filled that role for Louisburg College.

Proving his versatility, Colant showed he could be an on-the-field assistant coach in 2024, when he served as the wide receivers coach for Barton College.

He also has coaching experience at the junior college level.

Samford, entering its 11th season with Hatcher at the helm, opens in primetime on Thursday, Aug. 28, against West Georgia.

The program’s all-time winningest coach, who also earlier this decade guided the Bulldogs to their first NCAA FCS Playoffs win in some three decades, Hatcher carries 61 career wins at Samford and 182 wins as a head coach into the upcoming 2025 season. 



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Kansas baseball commit Daniel Lopez passes on signing with Orioles, will play for Jayhawks in 2026

As the Baltimore Orioles continue to sign their 2025 MLB Draft picks, one deal is not going to get over the finish line. Odessa College pitcher Daniel Lopez was taken in the 12th round by Baltimore but instead will return to college for another season, he announced via social media on Thursday. Lopez will still […]

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As the Baltimore Orioles continue to sign their 2025 MLB Draft picks, one deal is not going to get over the finish line. Odessa College pitcher Daniel Lopez was taken in the 12th round by Baltimore but instead will return to college for another season, he announced via social media on Thursday.

Lopez will still be playing baseball elsewhere next season. He committed to the Kansas Jayhawks as well, making a jump up to the power conference ranks. Huge news for head coach Dan Fitzgerald, snagging a top arm out of the NCAA transfer portal.

“After talking with my family and coaches, I’ve decided to return to school and continue my academic and athletic journey at the University of Kansas this season,” Lopez said via X. “Thank you to the Orioles and everyone who supported me. Grateful for what’s ahead! Let’s go to Omaha.”

Last year was considered Lopez’s freshman year, putting up good numbers for Odessa College. He appeared in 16 games, six of which were starts – all of which were in conference play. In 49.2 innings, Lopez recorded a 4.89 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 38 walks.

Playing for Kansas will be a big step up for him. D1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers believes Lopez possesses a “big-time arm” and can be a “strong asset” for them moving forward. In an interview with KUSports.com, the right-hander revealed his fastball got up to 98 miles per hour.

“It’s kind of putting everything you can into baseball, making your life about baseball,” Lopez said of his mentality via KUSports.com. “I’ve always taken it serious, I’ve always loved the sport, the game, but as soon you get more into it, I feel like the culture was what really drove me at Odessa. It was kind of like a family, you know, everybody’s pushing you to be better.”

Kansas put together a successful 2025 season, making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over a decade. As Lopez mentioned, the goal is to get to Omaha this upcoming year. If the Jayhawks can, it would be just the second time the program has gotten to the College World Series, going back to 1993.

In fact, KU has only once made it out of a regional. Any kind of advancement in the NCAA Tournament would be a major stepping stone. Lopez turning down the Orioles to play in Lawrence only helps their cause moving forward.



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What to know about Donald Trump’s executive order on NIL and college sports

President Donald Trump on Thursday issued an executive order titled “SAVING COLLEGE SPORTS,” a directive aimed at regulating the rapidly shifting landscape in college sports. Since 2021, college athletes have been able to profit off their name, image and likeness after a Supreme Court ruling on antitrust laws went in favor of the athletes. In […]

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President Donald Trump on Thursday issued an executive order titled “SAVING COLLEGE SPORTS,” a directive aimed at regulating the rapidly shifting landscape in college sports.

Since 2021, college athletes have been able to profit off their name, image and likeness after a Supreme Court ruling on antitrust laws went in favor of the athletes. In the ensuing years, players have been able to get paid legally via third parties, and after a separate lawsuit was settled in June, athletes can now also be paid directly by their schools.

The NIL era, however, has raised a variety of concerns for both schools and athletes, with issues ranging from maintaining equality in women’s sports to a potential push for collective bargaining between athletes and their respective colleges.

Trump’s order, which is not itself a law, essentially calls for an implementation of policies that are widely viewed as NCAA (as opposed to athlete) friendly.

Here’s what to know.

What exactly does Trump’s order call for?

Trump’s order said that, in the wake of legislation that allows athletes to be compensated and transfer freely between schools, “the future of college sports is under unprecedented threat.”

The EO goes on to say that the recent rulings have unleashed “a sea change that threatens the viability of college sports” and more guardrails are needed to ensure a fairer system.

So, what would Trump like to see? The order calls for the following:

  • Prohibiting third parties from engaging in direct “pay-for-play” payments to athletes, which the order deems improper. Currently, school boosters can sign players to multimillion-dollar NIL deals that are widely viewed as a workaround to directly paying players to attend a certain university. Trump’s order says players should only earn “fair market value” for a legitimate service to a third party, such as a brand endorsement. Advocates for athletes say this would impose a cap on their earnings.
  • Protections on scholarships for nonrevenue sports, requiring schools to maintain or increase scholarships for such sports, depending on the revenue of their athletic departments. This would be a measure largely to protect Olympic sports and women’s sports from potential decreases in funding as more money goes to revenue-generating athletes in football and basketball.
  • A clarification from the National Labor Relations Board on the employment status of athletes “that will maximize the educational benefits and opportunities provided by higher education institutions through athletics.” During the Biden administration, the NLRB issued a memo stating that certain college athletes should be considered employees. That memo was rescinded earlier this year, and now Trump is seeking to codify athletes as non-employees, which would almost certainly take away any opportunity they have to collectively bargain with schools.
  • Protections for the NCAA from lawsuits by athletes. The NCAA has been lobbying for these protections for many years, as many of the big changes in college athletics have come as the result of antitrust lawsuits. Protections against further court cases would allow the NCAA to enforce its rules on issues such as transfers and third-party payments without fear of them being upended by another court ruling.

What does this all mean for the immediate future?

Nothing immediately.

Trump cannot unilaterally impose rules in this scenario. His executive order also comes as the House tries to push through the SCORE Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that is aligned with much of Trump’s executive order. The SCORE Act has moved through committee and can be debated on the House floor when representatives return from recess in September.

Meanwhile, there has been a bipartisan push in the Senate to introduce its version of legislation regarding college athletes, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., among those involved.

“The many challenges facing college sports are important and complex,” Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said in a statement to NBC News. “The Executive Order recognizes the importance of preserving Olympic sports, women’s sports, and maintaining competitiveness for big and small schools alike. I’m disappointed that the President abandoned his earlier plan for a commission to examine all the issues facing college sports. We need a sustainable future for college sports, not a future dominated by the biggest and wealthiest schools who can write their own rules without accountability.”



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A little over a week ago, five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson broke the hearts of Georgia fans when he announced his commitment to Texas over Georgia. No one saw this coming and many Georgia fans were left confused wondering how things changed so fast when Georgia was his leader for most of 2025. The consensus was […]

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A little over a week ago, five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson broke the hearts of Georgia fans when he announced his commitment to Texas over Georgia. No one saw this coming and many Georgia fans were left confused wondering how things changed so fast when Georgia was his leader for most of 2025.

The consensus was that Texas had to have offered Atkinson an amount of NIL money that he couldn’t say no to, and Friday night that was confirmed to be the case.

“Texas doubled Oregon and Georgia’s NIL offer to lock down Atkinson.”

Texas offered Tyler Atkinson twice the money Georgia did

Atkinson’s recruitment reportedly came down to Texas and Georgia. Clemson and Oregon were also named finalists for the No. 1 linebacker in the 2026 recruiting class as well, but everyone knew after Atkinson’s official visits that it was down to Texas and UGA.

There are a lot of good reasons why a recruit could commit to Texas, no one can deny that, but when it comes to linebackers Georgia is the best program in the country. During Kirby Smart’s nine years as Georgia’s head coach, he has had three Butkus Award winners. This award goes to the nation’s best linebacker at the end of each season, so it’s clear how great Georgia has been at Atkinson’s position in recent years.

On top of that, Georgia overall has had far more success recently at getting players to the NFL. Georgia also just beat Texas twice last season and Atkinson is from the state of Georgia as well. Atkinson even visited Georgia 15 times throughout his recruitment, and it was reported that he only visited Texas twice.

No one can argue that Georgia had a lot more going for them in this recruitment than Texas, so it is not surprising to find out that the Longhorns had to offer Atkinson far more money to earn his commitment. And it just so happens that Texas offered him twice as much as Georgia, which unfortunately was enough for Atkinson to not care about all the positives UGA has to offer.

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