Texas Tops NIL Roster Valuations at $47.9M Ahead of 2026 College Football Season

The rise of name, image and likeness payments has reshaped college football rosters and the balance of power among top programs.

Indiana Hoosiers surprised in 2024 by reaching the College Football Playoff in Curt Cignetti's first year as head coach. The team added Fernando Mendoza through the transfer portal with NIL support. Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy as the Hoosiers finished 16-0 and claimed the national championship. That result came months after Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said undefeated seasons were a thing of the past.

Texas Tech, backed by billionaire Cody Campbell, assembled one of the nation's best defenses and made the playoff. NIL deals can transform a program's outlook quickly.

Higher spending on players does not ensure success. Still, pricier rosters tend to produce stronger teams. With the 2026 season nearing, NIL spending estimates offer a key gauge of which teams might dominate conferences and vie for playoff spots.

College Front Office has tallied estimated NIL valuations for 68 Power 4 conference teams to rank the sport's most valuable rosters. Playoff contenders and SEC programs fill the top spots. The top 15 by their estimates:

Texas - $47.9M
Miami - $44.0M
Ohio State - $43.5M
LSU - $42.8M
Oregon - $42.8M
Notre Dame - $40.4M
Texas A&M - $38.9M
Alabama - $37.2M
Texas Tech - $36.3M
Tennessee - $35.7M
Ole Miss - $35.2M
Georgia - $34.2M
USC - $34.2M
Oklahoma - $33.0M
Michigan - $32.4M

These figures reflect player valuations, not direct spending by teams or collectives. Valuations track closely with actual outlays, and the rankings confirm as much.

Texas, Miami and Ohio State top the list with no surprise. The Longhorns feature Arch Manning, among the most valuable NIL players, and ranked as college football's costliest team in 2025. Miami rebuilt fast through heavy spending, falling short of the national title by a few plays after beating Texas A&M on the road, Ohio State and Ole Miss in the playoff.

The SEC and Big Ten claim 12 of the top 15 spots. Miami represents the ACC, while Texas Tech stands as the lone Big 12 entry. Notre Dame's talent and schedule position it for the 12-team playoff.

Indiana sits outside the top 15 despite its championship. Curt Cignetti must maximize his current roster. Lane Kiffin at LSU calls his task a project, but the roster rates as playoff quality by these measures.

USC and Michigan pack high-value rosters with scant results so far. Every other top-15 team reached the playoff in the past two years, or like LSU, hired a coach with recent playoff success elsewhere. Michigan's Bryce Underwood enters his sophomore year after a mixed freshman campaign under a new coach. USC faces a key moment in Lincoln Riley's tenure with a roster now able to challenge playoff peers.

Money alone does not deliver victory, but these programs' playoff track records show a clear link. Indiana may prove the outlier again in another compelling season.