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USC Trojans’ NIL, Recruiting Success Making Noise After Luke Wafle Commitment

The USC Trojans have the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the nation thanks to USC coach Lincoln Riley and his coaching staff landing some of the top prospects in the class of 2026. With how well USC is recruiting, the Trojans are also having success with name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. The USC Trojans […]

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The USC Trojans have the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the nation thanks to USC coach Lincoln Riley and his coaching staff landing some of the top prospects in the class of 2026. With how well USC is recruiting, the Trojans are also having success with name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.

The USC Trojans recently received a commitment from four-star edge Luke Wafle, who chose the USC Trojans over the Ohio State Buckeyes. While Wafle was leaning towards USC following his official visit with the Trojans, the Buckeyes boosted their NIL offer. The No. 1 recruit from New Jersey ended up committing to USC.

On3’s Steve Wiltfong discussed on “The Wiltfong Whiparound” how USC pulled off Wafle’s recruitment despite the Buckeyes making a strong effort in the end.

“Following his official visit to the Trojans campus, they came to terms from an NIL perspective and it was the best offer on the table financially. And when Luke Wafle came back, slept on it, was still feeling USC, I don’t know if it was when he made the calls to the other schools,” Wiltfong said. “The Buckeyes upped their NIL package, and by Wednesday late morning, they look like the program to beat.”

Sep 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;  USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley on the sideline in the second half against the

Sep 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley on the sideline in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

“USC hung in there. Kept working the numbers and in the end, their NIL package was the biggest for Luke Wafle. We’re hearing in the range of two years, $2.2 to $2.6 million,” Wiltfong explained. “At the end of the day, USC wins the bidding war, modern recruiting, to land one of the most coveted defensive players in the country”

With Wafle, the Trojans’ recruiting class is up to 30 commits. The program has some of the top recruiters in the nation, including defensive lines coach Eric Henderson. USC’s defense took a big step from 2023 to 2024, and the product on the field is what will get recruits interested in the program.

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

MORE: USC Trojans To Add Another 4-Star Recruit? Battling Miami, Georgia For Brock Kolojay

MORE: 5-Star Ryder Lyons Sets Commitment Date: Trending USC Trojans Over Oregon, BYU?

MORE: Why 4-Star Recruit Luke Wafle Committed To USC Trojans Over Ohio State

While traditional recruitment is crucial to being a contender for the top prospects in the nation, there is the new world of NIL to adjust to, and USC has been one of the best programs with it.

Wafle’s commitment comes just a couple of weeks after USC landed five-star tight end Mark Bowman. Bowman, the No. 12 recruit in the nation, chose USC over Texas and Georgia. He is projected to earn $8-10 million over his USC career, according to reports from On3’s Scott Schrader. There will be times when schools have to win a bidding war for the top recruits, and USC did so with Wafle and Bowman.

Jul 24, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley speaks to the media during the Big 10 football medi

Jul 24, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The Trojans hired general manager Chad Bowden following the 2024 season and it is proving to be a crucial pick-up. In the age of NIL, where recruiting and the NCAA Transfer Portal are similar to free agency, Bowden has been helping the program bring in top players to build a talented team.

The Trojans are still in contention for a couple of top prospects in the coming weeks, including four-star star wide receiver Ethan “Boobie” Feaster. With the momentum, and how the program is utilizing NIL, USC could be landing another top prospect in the coming weeks.



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Big 12 team shockingly steals Ohio State football recruiting target

Heading into the Fourth of July, the Ohio State football team was seen as one of the top two schools for Felix Ojo. The five-star tackle had mentioned those were his top two schools as recently as a week ago. Things changed on July 3rd, when something big happened. That’s when Ojo received a crystal […]

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Heading into the Fourth of July, the Ohio State football team was seen as one of the top two schools for Felix Ojo. The five-star tackle had mentioned those were his top two schools as recently as a week ago. Things changed on July 3rd, when something big happened.

That’s when Ojo received a crystal ball prediction to end up at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders were not even in his final four schools, which is what made things so shocking. Fans of the Ohio State Buckeyes held out hope that they could still land him, though.

It was not to be. Texas Tech came off the top rope to steal Ojo from both the Buckeyes and the Longhorns. Ojo made that decision on Instagram Live just after 2 pm ET on Friday. It’s clear that Tech came in with a massive NIL bag, and that’s all Ojo is concerned with.

Ohio State football team loses Felix Ojo to Texas Tech at the 11th hour

While Ojo has an impressive set of physical skills, he has been trending in the wrong direction for a while. He got absolutely cooked at the Rivals camp last week, including by an Ohio State recruit. It was so bad that he had to issue a statement about his bad play.

Jumping ship on two teams that have been recruiting him for a while to collect a large bag is a bad look for him. Ohio State has steadily maintained that it will not go crazy for any single recruit when it comes to NIL funds, and they stuck to their principles.

If Ojo really is as good as he thinks he is, a massive NIL bag shouldn’t be what he is chasing. These five-star recruits should be going to programs that can develop them for the next level so that they can excel in the NFL. That’s where the real money is.

Tyler Bowen has been gobbling up offensive linemen, so this isn’t a massive hit. While Ojo was the highest-rated recruit he had on his board, he’s got others who can take his place in the class.



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Texas Tech’s Felix Ojo: 5-Star Tackles $5.1M NIL Deal!

Texas Tech secured a monumental commitment from five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo, marking the program’s highest-rated commitment ever. Ojo, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound prospect from Lake Ridge, Texas, chose Texas Tech over Texas and other contenders, ranking as the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect for the class of 2026. In a groundbreaking move, he signed a […]

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Texas Tech secured a monumental commitment from five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo, marking the program’s highest-rated commitment ever. Ojo, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound prospect from Lake Ridge, Texas, chose Texas Tech over Texas and other contenders, ranking as the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect for the class of 2026. In a groundbreaking move, he signed a full-guaranteed three-year, $5.1 million NIL deal—among the largest in college football history. Ojo’s signing is seen as a transformative moment for both the player and the college football landscape.

By the Numbers

  • Ojo is ranked No. 5 overall and No. 1 in offensive tackles for the class of 2026.
  • His NIL deal totals $5.1 million, representing one of the largest guarantees in college football history.

State of Play

  • Ojo’s commitment sets a new standard for Texas Tech’s recruiting efforts.
  • The move could influence other high-profile recruits considering the program.

What’s Next

As Ojo transitions to Texas Tech, expectations will grow for his on-field performance. His immediate impact could lead to a recruiting boost for the program, potentially attracting more top talent. The success of his NIL deal may shape future negotiations for other college athletes.

Bottom Line

Felix Ojo’s commitment and NIL deal signify a potential shift in college football dynamics, highlighting the escalating influence of financial incentives in recruiting. His future performance on the field will be closely watched, as it could redefine expectations for both players and programs in the NIL landscape.





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Texas Tech recruit nets unprecedented 3-year $5.1M deal

Aaron Torres and Arnie Spanier talk to 5-Star Texas Tech recruit’s agent Derrick Shelby, who negotiated the $5.1M deal for his client Felix Ojo. Shelby goes into how this unprecedented deal came to fruition and how the College Football world continues to change with NIL. Derrick Shelby: “We’ve been working on this deal for probably […]

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Aaron Torres and Arnie Spanier talk to 5-Star Texas Tech recruit’s agent Derrick Shelby, who negotiated the $5.1M deal for his client Felix Ojo. Shelby goes into how this unprecedented deal came to fruition and how the College Football world continues to change with NIL.

Derrick Shelby:

“We’ve been working on this deal for probably about 30 days, maybe 40 days total. Once he did his visit things ramped up pretty quickly. I thought Texas Tech would be a major contender as long as he liked the school. Of course, everybody was after him from Texas to Ohio State, Florida, Michigan. I think he ended up with probably 70 high major offers. I told him you need to go to Lubbock and see it. Because Lubbock had been calling me, Texas Tech had been calling me like, man we’d love to have a shot at Ojo. A lot of people don’t realize I represent NiJaree Canady the All American Softball pitcher at Texas Tech. So I had a relationship there and they were calling me asking can the kid come out and at least see what we have. And we did just that. A lot of people don’t realize Texas Tech just invested about $250 Million in their football facility. It’s top three in America. Texas Tech was the second scholarship offer for Felix and they stuck with the recruiting.

Arnie Spanier:

“Was it that Texas Tech give you the most money? And did you have to say, hey, this is what it’s going to take to get it done.”

Derrick Shelby:

“The biggest offer ended up being Texas Tech, and we didn’t start at the number we finished with. But going into this thing, my number one plan for Felix was to find the best place we can get to play early. And at his position, that’s hard to get. That left tackle position, I mean that’s the crown jewel right? So he wanted to play early but also be able to maximize his most earning potential at the same time. So I knew it would be hard to get both, but that’s what we shot for”.

Aaron Torres:

“One, as much as you can share, how often are these agreements beyond one year. But then two, I would have to assume there has to be some sort of language, because you know, god forbid the coach gets fired. I mean how does this work? I would have to assume there are opt outs. God forbid something happens.”

Derrick Shelby:

“It’s very far in between to get any type of multi year deal. Except no one wants to do that in football. They want a one year deal because it protects them. And what the football people will say, it also protects the kid. So lets say you’re bringing a kid in and you give them $300,000 and he has a fantastic year. He can ask for more the following year. But in the same token, you get $300,000 and he gets hurt. Then he gets nothing the following year, so there’s risk on both sides in my opinion. And when you sign with a school, you’re not signing with the coach, you’re signing with the school. So if a coach leaves, it doesn’t really matter.”





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Texas Tech 5-star commit signs blockbuster NIL deal

The fireworks began early for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football program on the Fourth of July. On Friday morning, Lake Ridge (Texas) five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo chose Texas Tech over fellow finalist Texas and others. Advertisement The 6-foot-6, 275-pound lineman is the highest-rated commitment in program history – by a wide margin. He […]

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The fireworks began early for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football program on the Fourth of July.

On Friday morning, Lake Ridge (Texas) five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo chose Texas Tech over fellow finalist Texas and others.

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The 6-foot-6, 275-pound lineman is the highest-rated commitment in program history – by a wide margin.

He is the school’s first-ever top-20 pledge, currently listed as the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and No. 1 offensive tackle in the class of 2026.

And no one is being shy about the details of how that stunning development happened.

According to ESPN, his agent, Derrick Shelby, has reported Ojo signed a full-guaranteed three-star, $5.1-million deal – one of the largest guaranteed deals in the history of college football.

For his part, Ojo expressed excitement about his new situation.

“Let’s change (college football),” he posted to social media.

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Whether Ojo dominates on the field or not in Lubbock, his NIL deal may mean he’s already accomplished that feat before arriving on campus.

Here’s what 247Sports had to say about Ojo as a prospect:

“Tall offensive tackle prospect who’s very young for his recruiting class with a July DOB. Verified at 6-foot-6, 272 pounds post-junior season with adequate length numbers in arm (33 5/8) and wingspan (81 1/2). Owns a lean, athletic look and plays with impressive functional athleticism and movement ability.”

“Live evaluation during 2025 Navy Army All-American Bowl revealed a consistent mean streak in pads. Stood out physically, athletically, and in field demeanor despite being among the youngest competitors in the event. Hand placement/technique have improved from sophomore to junior year, along with ability to stand up to POA strength. Gets good extension and uses length to his advantage. Still developing consistent pop; can be grabby, but looks to finish with authority. Plays upright at times and can show more frequent bend ability. Will continue to bulk given immense frame potential.”

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“Bolsters athletic profile with discus reps. Capacities for strength and power are high given excellent physical tools and relative youth. Looks like one of the top OT prospects in the 2026 class with potential to become a multi-year high-major tackle with ample pro potential.”



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Five-star recruit signs historic $5.1M revenue sharing deal with Big 12 school

Texas Tech have beaten out the likes of Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, and in-state rivals Texas to the blockbuster signing of five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo to add to their 2026 class Andrew Gamble Sports Trends Writer 23:40 ET, 04 Jul 2025Updated 23:41 ET, 04 Jul 2025 Felix Ojo committed to Texas Tech as part […]

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Texas Tech have beaten out the likes of Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, and in-state rivals Texas to the blockbuster signing of five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo to add to their 2026 class

Felix Ojo committed to Texas Tech as part of the 2026 class
Felix Ojo committed to Texas Tech as part of the 2026 class(Image: Instagram @felixtheol)

Five-star offensive tackle prospect Felix Ojo committed to Texas Tech on a fully guaranteed deal worth $5.1 million.

With the 2025 college football season fast approaching, recruiting for the 2026 class is heating up. On Friday, Ojo inked a historic seven-figure revenue deal with Texas Tech in a huge statement signing for the ambitious Red Raiders.

Ojo is a highly rated prospect having dominated in high school. Standing an imperious 6-7, the starlet tackle chose Texas Tech — who also had success in the transfer portal — over Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, and even Steve Sarkisian’s Texas following several official visits this spring.

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Ojo is the program’s highest-ranked addition since ESPN began ranking high school prospects in the 2006 recruiting cycle. The money seemed too good to turn down; Ojo’s deal is believed to be one of the largest fully guaranteed revenue-share agreements in college football history.

Ojo’s agent, Derrick Shelby, of Prestige Management, confirmed the contract. He said: “Football is a brutal sport, and athletes are not able to play professionally until their graduating class has been in college three years.

“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.”

Ojo is the latest big name to sign with Texas Tech, which has been splashing the cash to recruit recently.

The Red Raiders reportedly spent more than $10 million on 17 new players in the winter transfer portal. Texas Tech has made 21 portal additions to assemble the nation’s second-ranked transfer class this offseason, per ESPN.

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Felix Ojo chose Texas Tech after visiting several major programs
Felix Ojo chose Texas Tech after visiting several major programs(Image: Instagram @felixtheol)

Ojo is a big get for Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders. He was a multi-year starter at Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, Texas, and represents one of the top offensive line prospects in the nation.

He will join Texas Tech in 2026 as the program’s first five-star signee since wide receiver Micah Hudson in 2024. Ojo is also the headline commit in Texas Tech’s offensive line class, which also features a pair of spring pledges in three-star offensive guard Jerald Mays and offensive tackle Jacob Crow

NIL deals and revenue sharing have forever changed the face of college sports. Football undoubtedly commands the most significant outlay, but other sports are feeling the impact, too; Jack Nicklaus recently criticized the NCAA’s inability to “control” NIL.

Last month, a judge ruled that college athletes will receive money directly from schools in a momentous change to the collegiate revenue model. Starting on July 1, schools will be able to pay athletes up to $20.5 million a year starting in 2025-26, and this figure is expected to increase by a certain percentage each year.

Effectively, this means college sports will no longer be treated as amateur. Athletes will be compensated more than through the previous NIL program started in 2021; they will be paid directly by universities — and Ojo will be one of many looking to cash in.



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Current Husky Infielder Ethan Cole Enters Transfer Portal

Over the course of three seasons, Cole had a batting average of .295 with 16 home runs and 74 runs batted in. 4 hours ago DULUTH, Minn.- UMD infielder and pitcher Ethan Cole has entered the transfer portal. Over the course of three seasons, he had a batting average of .295 with 16 home runs […]

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Current Husky Infielder Ethan Cole Enters Transfer Portal

Over the course of three seasons, Cole had a batting average of .295 with 16 home runs and 74 runs batted in.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD infielder and pitcher Ethan Cole has entered the transfer portal.

Over the course of three seasons, he had a batting average of .295 with 16 home runs and 74 runs batted in.

The Duluth East alum has one year of eligibility remaining as a graduate transfer.

Cole is currently playing for the Duluth Huskies.

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