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College Football's Most Expensive Rosters
Posted on 8/31/26 at 12:02 am
Posted on 8/31/26 at 12:02 am
If you arent on this list (with rosters hovering at or around the 40 million mark) you will have trouble competing in 2026.
In the 2026 season, these are the NIL big boys.
However, don't expect these 12 to necessarily all be in the playoffs. Many of these teams are expected to have at best 8 or 9 win seasons, at best (LSU and USC, for example)
LSU
Miami
Notre Dame
Ohio St
Oregon
Texas
TAMU
Georgia
Michigan
Ole Miss
Tennessee
USC
Ranking college football's most expensive rosters after polling 50-plus industry insiders
In the 2026 season, these are the NIL big boys.
However, don't expect these 12 to necessarily all be in the playoffs. Many of these teams are expected to have at best 8 or 9 win seasons, at best (LSU and USC, for example)
LSU
Miami
Notre Dame
Ohio St
Oregon
Texas
TAMU
Georgia
Michigan
Ole Miss
Tennessee
USC
Ranking college football's most expensive rosters after polling 50-plus industry insiders
Posted on 8/31/26 at 12:06 am to John somers
Honestly surprised Texas is not top 3
Posted on 8/31/26 at 12:08 am to John somers
CFB is the most unbalanced sports league on the planet
Posted on 8/31/26 at 12:14 am to Gatorbait2008
quote:
Honestly surprised Texas is not top 3
They may be. According to the article, these are not ironclad figures, and the actual amounts might vary.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 12:33 am to John somers
Indiana didn’t have trouble.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:03 am to John somers
It may not be reported to the fans, but they do have to pass a clearinghouse. The numbers are pretty accurate.
There was a report about how there were a tens of million dollars of NIL deals cancelled bc they were for no work.
NIL clearinghouse has rejected $90M in deals
There was a report about how there were a tens of million dollars of NIL deals cancelled bc they were for no work.
NIL clearinghouse has rejected $90M in deals
quote:
Mandatory Reporting: NCAA Division I student-athletes must report any third-party NIL agreement valued at $600 or more.
Payor Association Verification: Checks who is paying the athlete.
Valid Business Purpose: Confirms the deal involves real marketing or promotional work.
Compensation Analysis: Uses market data and factors like social media reach and athletic profile to test if the price is reasonable.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 1:16 am to geauxbrown
quote:
Indiana didn’t have trouble.
They were on this list last year. They came in at 12th, IIRC.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 4:10 am to John somers
LSU should be favored to win it all with that portal hall and having Kiffin now. Definitely a championship or bust season. With massive NIL and having a top QB there is no first year adjustment seasons any longer.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 4:15 am to John somers
I don't trust those lists for some teams. You really think Indiana was ahead of us and 12th in spending? I doubt it looking at that roster and their portal class. Only a few of those players were bigger names in the portal and he had a lot of G6 guys already on the roster.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 4:16 am to John somers
The defending college football champions spent $ 7.5 million on last season's transfer roster. Please explain.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 4:17 am to FAT SEXY
quote:
CFB is the most unbalanced sports league on the planet
This is nothing new.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 4:18 am to Gator Fever
quote:
LSU should be favored to win it all with that portal hall and having Kiffin now. Definitely a championship or bust season.
The vast majority of the players they brought in have at least 2 years of eligibility remaining, which was done on purpose.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 4:24 am to Gator Fever
quote:They have a portal hall and a portal haul? Wow... Lane has it all now.
LSU should be favored to win it all with that portal hall and having Kiffin now.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 5:45 am to John somers
Melt
Posted on 8/31/26 at 5:54 am to Gatorbait2008
Texas is easily top three.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 6:06 am to Gator Fever
quote:
championship or bust
Yes. For LSU and Kiffin, its a make or break year.
quote:
The defending college football champions spent $ 7.5 million on last season's transfer roster. Please explain.
OK, I'll type slowly.
You see, its not just about transfers, but how much they spent overall. And by that metric, they were 12th, and on this list last year. Unlike Alabama this year.
Mmkay?
This post was edited on 8/31/26 at 6:19 am
Posted on 8/31/26 at 6:21 am to Gator Fever
quote:
You really think Indiana was ahead of us and 12th in spending?
You mean last year?
They aren't on the list this year.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 6:23 am to Gator Fever
Well when you have Mark Cuban involved, anything is possible. They even got a 5 star WR committed. Never thought in my lifetime I'd see that.
Posted on 8/31/26 at 6:23 am to John somers
quote:
Yes. For LSU and Kiffin, its a make or break year.
What breaks if they don't make the championship?
Posted on 8/31/26 at 6:26 am to John somers
I have been listening to the national media and tigerdroppings.
Thought it was LSU at 44 million and everyone else was just paying scholarships and a $10 per diem at bowl games.
Of course I also heard that LSU had Huey Long on the phones with Trump to get Dae’Quan eligible.
Thought it was LSU at 44 million and everyone else was just paying scholarships and a $10 per diem at bowl games.
Of course I also heard that LSU had Huey Long on the phones with Trump to get Dae’Quan eligible.
This post was edited on 8/31/26 at 6:28 am
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