• Loading stock data...
Thursday, January 22, 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

Could Rex Ryan Return to NFL After Decade at ESPN?

New Giants coach John Harbaugh floated hiring the ESPN personality.
Patrick Mahomes II hits out of a sand trap during the final round of the American Century Celebrity Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Adidas Golf May Use Patrick Mahomes Strategy With Other Athletes

Mahomes’s contract extension includes a new golf line.

NFL Playoff Ratings Surge As NBC, ESPN Set Network Records

Both NBC and ESPN set network records with their Sunday playoff games.

Winter Storm Is Disrupting Sports, but NFL Could See a TV Boost

A growing collection of teams and leagues are cancelling and postponing games.

Featured Today

Sports Goes All In on Non-Alcoholic Drinks Boom

Athletes, teams, and leagues are pouring money into the NA beverage category.
Tulsa Portal House
January 16, 2026

Inside the Tulsa Portal House: ‘This Will Translate to Wins’

The Golden Hurricane set up an over-the-top battle station for football recruiting.
Black Rabbit
January 10, 2026

The Netflix Star Who Makes Sure NBA Players Have Clean Towels

How a Nets staffer landed a breakout role on “Black Rabbit.”
January 9, 2026

NHL Ditched Its Dress Code. Hockey’s Fashion Era Arrived Quickly

With no dress code, impeccably dressed players are seeing big-money deals.
Apr 7, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; NCAA president Charlie Baker looks on during halftime between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

NCAA President Charlie Baker Is a Twitter Reply Guy

In between serious posts, Baker shares his favorite movies, athletes, and more.
Billionaire Mark Cuban, an Indiana alum and NIL donor, with quarterback Fernando Mendoza after the Hoosiers won their first CFP national championship.
January 21, 2026

Mark Cuban Likes the College Sports Salary Cap: ‘It Protects Us’

In an FOS interview, Cuban likened the rules to the NBA cap.
January 21, 2026

Judge Says Ex-Alabama Player Can Rejoin Team After 3 Years in Pros

The ruling could ultimately deal another blow to NCAA eligibility rules.
Sponsored

ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025: Inside the Technology Shaping the Future of..

At ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025, ESPN showcased how AI, immersive tech, and a rebuilt direct-to-consumer platform are redefining the future of sports media.
Dec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) celebrates after the Blue Devils score a touchdown in overtime during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium.
January 20, 2026

Duke Sues Darian Mensah After QB Enters Portal

He announced his decision on the last day of the portal window.
Zheng
January 20, 2026

NCAA Rules Might Block Columbia Tennis Star From $150K at Australian Open

Zheng is set to graduate from Columbia in the spring.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) rushes into the end zone for a touchdown Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
January 20, 2026

CFP Faces 3 Big Questions About Its Future

The CFP could still expand to 16 teams in 2026.
Mark Cuban shakes hands with D.J. Khaled on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, ahead of the College Football Playoff Championship game at HardRock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
January 20, 2026

College Football’s Billionaire Era Is Officially Here

Mark Cuban helped Indiana make history in the rev-share and NIL era.