The landscape of college football recruiting just got a major shakeup. Five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo’s commitment to Texas Tech isn’t your everyday headline—it’s a genuine turning point for how college athletes get paid, even before they’ve unpacked their bags.
Ojo’s wild revenue-sharing deal is more than a big number. It’s got people across the sport wondering what comes next for recruiting and college sports money.
The New Era of NIL and Revenue Sharing
With Ojo’s commitment, Texas Tech has thrown out the old playbook. These days, it’s not just about the talent—they’re talking dollars, and lots of them.
Ojo’s deal, rumored to be as high as $5.1 million, has turned the spotlight from football stats to the fast-evolving world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements.
Breaking Down the Deal
His contract, hammered out by agent Derrick Shelby at Prestige Management, is a multi-year, revenue-sharing agreement. It guarantees Ojo gets paid, even if he’s injured or doesn’t play a snap.
Early reports threw out a $5.1 million figure, but the real deal is a three-year, $2.3 million agreement—about $775,000 a year. There are escalators and incentives built in, so the numbers could climb. Honestly, it’s a lot to wrap your head around compared to old-school scholarship deals.
Implications for College Football
This isn’t just about Texas Tech. Attorney Darren Heitner points out that deals like Ojo’s blur the line between college and pro sports. Schools are now stuck deciding where to spend their money—on top high school recruits or proven transfers.
The pressure to win fast has made the transfer portal a lifeline for coaches and athletic directors, sometimes leaving younger or lower-rated players behind.
The Transfer Portal vs. High School Recruits
It’s never been easier to overhaul a roster. Athletic directors want players who are ready to deliver right now, so high school prospects have to fight harder for attention and cash.
If you’re a one- or two-star recruit, it’s a tough road. The market’s crowded and the stakes are higher than ever.
The Evolution of Contracts in College Sports
Remember when signing a National Letter of Intent was the big moment? That was a simple promise: a scholarship in exchange for playing ball. Now, contracts look a lot more like what you’d see in the pros.
Agent Juan Lozano calls this an “infancy” period for these kinds of deals. Players and families are still figuring it out, and honestly, who wouldn’t be a little overwhelmed?
The Role of Agents and Legal Representation
Lozano says having a good lawyer or agent isn’t optional anymore. Too many families trust a coach’s word, only to find out later nothing was in writing.
The NCAA used to paint agents as the bad guys, which didn’t help. Now, there’s a mess of unqualified people trying to fill the gap, and that can get ugly for athletes.
The Future of College Sports
When the Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that student-athletes could get up to $5,980 a year for education-related benefits, it set the stage for what we’re seeing now. That’s the so-called Alston money.
Add in NIL collectives, and you get a “soft cap” around $20.5 million for revenue sharing. But there’s no real limit, so schools and boosters can go as big as they want. It’s kind of wild, honestly.
Challenges and Opportunities
Everyone’s figuring this out as they go. Rashad Phillips, CEO of Prestige Management, says every deal is different—no templates here.
Ojo’s contract might be the first of its kind, but it’s probably just the start. High school athletes are going to be negotiating like pros, and the ripple effects could change college sports for good.
Conclusion
Felix Ojo’s commitment to Texas Tech is a big deal in college football recruiting. His new revenue-sharing deal is already shaking things up for athlete compensation.
It’s honestly hard not to wonder what happens next. Schools, athletes, and agents are all trying to figure out this new landscape, and the balance between high school recruits and transfers could get tricky.
Will programs outside the usual powerhouses step up? Maybe—if they’re ready to invest.
For a more in-depth analysis, visit Extra Points.
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