The 2025 College Football Playoff has been nothing short of thrilling. Top teams are battling it out for supremacy.
With No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 11 Tulane, and No. 12 James Madison out, only eight teams are left: Indiana, Ohio State, Texas Tech, Alabama, Ole Miss, Oregon, Miami, and Georgia.
As the competition heats up, let’s take a closer look at the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) spending of these teams. The financial strategies behind these rosters might surprise you.
This blog post digs into the NIL expenditures of these playoff contenders and how it impacts their performance on the field. It’s wild how much money is moving around these days.
Ohio State: Leading the Pack in NIL Spending
Ohio State sits at the top of the NIL spending charts, with an estimated $35 million going to its current roster. The Buckeyes aren’t shy about investing in their players, especially with stars like quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins.
This year’s roster is stacked, featuring blue-chip recruits such as quarterback Julian Sayin, receiver Jeremiah Smith, and running back Bo Jackson. That kind of spending has made Ohio State a real threat in the 2025 playoff.
Key Players and Investments
- Quarterback Julian Sayin
- Receiver Jeremiah Smith
- Running back Bo Jackson
Want more details? Check out the Sporting News article.
Oregon: Building a Competitive Roster
Oregon, led by Dan Lanning, keeps churning out top recruiting classes. The exact numbers for the Ducks’ 2025 roster aren’t public, but it’s probably right up there with Ohio State.
The roster is loaded with high-profile recruits and transfers, like quarterback Dante Moore and receiver Malik Benson from UCLA. Freshmen Jordon Davidson and Dakorien Moore are making waves, too.
Notable Transfers and Recruits
- Quarterback Dante Moore
- Receiver Malik Benson
- Freshman Jordon Davidson
- Freshman Dakorien Moore
Texas Tech: A New NIL Heavyweight
Texas Tech is making headlines for its big NIL spending—about $28 million just for its 2025 transfer-portal class. The Red Raiders’ financial leap comes thanks to billionaire booster Cody Campbell, who’s really changed the game for them.
This investment helped Texas Tech win the Big 12 for the first time ever. Standouts include EDGE rushers David Bailey and Romello Height, along with receiver Michah Hudson.
Impactful Transfers
- EDGE rusher David Bailey
- EDGE rusher Romello Height
- Receiver Michah Hudson
Miami: Maximizing Limited Resources
Under Mario Cristobal, Miami’s put together its most talented roster in years, even with fewer resources than the SEC giants. Quarterback Carson Beck reportedly got a $4 million NIL deal to join the Hurricanes.
Running back CharMar Brown and defensive leaders Rueben Bain and Mohamed Toure, both transfer additions, are making a difference. Miami’s doing a lot with what they’ve got.
Key Players and Deals
- Quarterback Carson Beck
- Running back CharMar Brown
- Defensive player Rueben Bain
- Defensive player Mohamed Toure
Ole Miss: The Transfer Portal King
Ole Miss has found ways to recruit and keep talent, even without deep pockets. Lane Kiffin’s Rebels reportedly spent about $10 million on their 2024 roster, and this year’s figure probably isn’t far off.
Through the transfer portal, they’ve added quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy, and receiver Harrison Wallace III. It’s impressive what they’ve managed with less.
Notable Transfers
- Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss
- Running back Kewan Lacy
- Receiver Harrison Wallace III
Alabama: Playing Catch-Up
Alabama used to be the undisputed king of college football, but times have changed. The Crimson Tide’s drop in NIL spending seems tied to Nick Saban’s retirement.
Players were once happy to take a pay cut to play for Saban. Now, Alabama has to spend more to keep up with everyone else.
The Saban Effect
- Impact of Nick Saban’s retirement
- Current NIL spending strategies
Georgia: Selective Spending
Kirby Smart and Georgia have taken a more careful approach to NIL. Federal records from 2024 show $6 million spent on recruiting efforts alone.
This targeted spending lets Georgia pull in top talent without breaking the bank. They’re not just throwing money around—they’re picking their spots.
Recruiting Investments
- Selective NIL spending strategies
- Impact on roster quality
Indiana: Rising Through the Ranks
Indiana might be at the bottom of the Power Five in NIL spending, but they’ve worked the transfer portal expertly. The Hoosiers’ biggest get? Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.
Other important transfers: running back Roman Hemby and JMU transfer Kaelon Black. Head coach Curt Cignetti has been crucial in their rise, and his new contract extension makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the country.
Key Transfers and Coaching Impact
- Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza
- Running back Roman Hemby
- JMU transfer Kaelon Black
- Head coach Curt Cignetti’s impact
The 2025 College Football Playoff is underway, and honestly, you can’t ignore how much NIL spending is shaping these rosters. It’s not just about talent anymore—money’s got a real say in who lines up on Saturdays.
Curious how each school stacks up in the NIL arms race? You can check out the details for yourself over at the Sporting News article.
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