Wednesday, March 11, 2026

The Real Cost of College Football Recruiting

Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
*This piece first appeared in the Front Office Sports Newsletter. Subscribe today and get the news before anyone else.

Ever wonder what it costs to actually land a top recruiting class?

Thanks to Andy Wittry of Stadium, the picture is at least a little bit clearer. 

How much do schools spend?

Due to the fact that some institutions are private and others don’t have to report expenses thanks to state record laws, here’s a look at the 5 schools who spent the most on recruiting last season based on information available.  

1. Georgia – $2,626,622
2. Texas – $1,823,307
3. Clemson – $1,790,976
4. Texas A&M – $1,710,101
5. Florida State – $1,581,347

What do they spend it on?

At a program like Oregon, recruiting expenses in 2018 included everything from $96,520.00 spent on software subscriptions/licensing services to $272,580 on air travel. 

Does spending more = better classes?

Usually. According to Wittry, there’s a negative relationship between spending and class ranking. That means, the more a school spends on recruiting, the lower (better) its recruiting class ranking will be.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

March Madness Getting Chalkier, but TV Networks Aren’t Worried

The two networks remain bullish despite increasing chalkiness in college basketball.
Mar 7, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Trevor Best (12) is defended by Iowa State Cyclones guard Jamarion Batemon (1) and forward Dominykas Pleta (21) during the second half at James H. Hilton Coliseum.

College Sports Commission Says NIL Go System Under Strain

“The NIL market in college athletics is not a normal organic market.”

Judge Blocks Plan to Use Unclaimed Funds for Browns Stadium

A preliminary injunction blocks, for now, the use of unclaimed funds.

NFL Teams Waste No Time Striking Early Deals Ahead of Free Agency

Many of the top available free agents are quickly striking new deals.

Featured Today

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
March 5, 2026

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.
Nicole Silveira
March 3, 2026

The Tattoo Marking Membership in the Most Exclusive Club in Sports

For athletes, the Olympic rings tattoo is “about everything it took.”

Sun Belt’s Stepladder Format Is Producing Some March Chaos

The Sun Belt conference school has a chance at history Monday night.
Dec 18, 2011; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush (22) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
March 6, 2026

Reggie Bush: NIL Era Wouldn’t Exist Without ‘My Story’

The former USC running back had his Heisman Trophy revoked for 14 years.
Saving College Sports White House roundtable
March 7, 2026

Inside President Trump’s Roundtable on College Sports

Trump said he’ll author an executive order to “solve every conceivable problem.”
Sponsored

Paul Rabil: Why Owning a Team Is a 100x Bet

Paul Rabil shares how he left an established league to build PLL.
Jan 18, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Michael Zheng of United States in action against Sebastian Korda of United States in the first round of the men’s singles at the Australian Open at Kia Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit:
March 6, 2026

Columbia Tennis Star Says He Claimed $150K from Australian Open

It was unclear if he could do so under NCAA rules.
Mar 3, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Malik Thomas (1) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Juke Harris (2) defends in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena.
March 6, 2026

Men’s College Hoops Was Kalshi’s Most Bet-On Sport in February

The NCAA is once again asking Kalshi to stop using the term “March Madness.”
Former Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl talks with fans before Auburn Tigers take on the Houston Cougars at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025.
March 5, 2026

Miami (Ohio) AD Rips TNT Analyst Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Bias

David Sayler called the ex-Auburn coach’s comments “disrespectful.”
Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) is interviewed after the 2026 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome.
March 5, 2026

NCAA Challenges Trinidad Chambliss Eligibility Decision

The NCAA wrote the injunction causes “irreparable harm.”