Felix Ojo signs $5.1M deal with Texas Tech, Reshaping NIL Norms
How One Texas Tech Deal Will Redefine Recruiting Economics
“Five-Star Offensive Tackle Felix Ojo Commits to Texas Tech Over Ohio State, Texas, Florida and Michigan.” Eleven Warriors, 15 July 2025, https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football-recruiting/2025/07/156743/five-star-offensive-tackle-felix-ojo-commits-to-texas-tech-over-ohio-state-texas-florida-and-michigan. Image.
Felix Ojo, a five-star offensive tackle and one of the top prospects in 2026, has made headlines after committing to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders signed Ojo to a fully guaranteed $5.1 million revenue share deal, paying out $775,000 annually over three years. This historic seven-figure deal is one of the first of its kind under the NCAA’s newly approved revenue-sharing model, and one of the largest fully guaranteed deals in college football history. The deal was negotiated directly with Texas Tech, meaning this figure will come directly from the athletic department budget, not a sponsorship or outside donor. Ojo also remains eligible for additional NIL endorsements, including incentives and the possibility of renegotiation. It’s a bold step that not only sets a new standard for future deals, but also fits into a larger offseason strategy that is turning heads across college football.
Texas Tech’s Aggressive NIL Blueprint
This has been a transformative offseason for Texas Tech, backing it up with one of the most aggressive and effective overhauls in college football. The Red Raiders have spent over $10 million on 21 new players in the transfer portal window, ranking No. 2 among transfer portal classes, according to ESPN. After finishing 8-5 last season, they are now positioned as legitimate Big 12 contenders for the coming years. On the recruiting front, Texas Tech has continued to build momentum. While their 2025 class finished modestly at around No. 48 nationally according to 247Sports, they’ve rocketed to the top of the Big 12 for 2026. The Red Raiders currently hold the top-ranked recruiting class in the Big 12 with 18 early commits, including multiple blue-chip prospects.
For the first time, we are seeing a school using its revenue-sharing allowance to secure a top recruit with a contract-style agreement. Universities are now directly competing for talent with actual dollars in an entirely new model. Furthermore, it sets a new precedent for how elite prospects are valued and pursued moving forward. To fully grasp the magnitude of Ojo’s deal, the potential $5.1 million not only rivals a 4th round NFL rookie contract, but surpasses the total rookie earnings of most pro athletes outside the top 1% of their draft class. We have officially entered the stage where staying in college can be more lucrative than going pro. For elite athletes like Ojo, the financial incentive to delay the draft is smart business. NIL deals, especially when backed by institutional funds and top-tier collectives, are now rivaling or exceeding rookie contracts in not only the NFL, but the NBA, MLB, and WNBA. College is no longer a stepping stone to financial security: it is the payday.
College Football’s New Financial Playbook
This deal forces us, and athletic departments, to rethink recruiting entirely. Athletes are no longer choosing programs based on tradition, scheme, or coaching, but instead evaluating the bottom lines each can offer. Schools are left to play hardball with cash, turning what used to be pro-level free agency into college football’s new frontier. Right now, no program demonstrates this financial showdown better than Texas Tech. The Matador Club, Tech’s NIL collection, has made major financial commitments prior to Ojo’s record-breaking deal. Softball sensation NiJaree Canady has reportedly received multiple $1 million deals through the Matador Club to remain with the school. Additionally, basketball star and All-American JT Toppin secured a $3 million deal with the school’s NIL collective, making him the highest-valued returning college basketball player for this upcoming season. This evolution has pushed collectives into roles resembling deep-pocketed general managers. So, Ojo’s deal isn’t simply a one-off, but instead marks a tactical pivot disrupting traditional recruiting models.
New Money, New Rules
Despite collectives still playing a key role, the shift to institutional funds signals a new era of professionalization. These are guaranteed, multi-year agreements that mirror agent-mediated pro contracts. Coaches, general managers, and compliance staff are all looking more like a pro front office. Derrick Shelby, Ojo’s agent, emphasizes this point, calling for schools to strategically approach their spending: “You have to really, really have a good GM and a good staff to be able to manage that money.”
Felix Ojo is the first domino of many, and the next recruits nationwide will compare theirs to his deal. The implications of this deal will force programs to rethink budget allocation, collectives, compliance, and competitive strategy all at once. As the NCAA facilitates athlete pay, it means every coach, recruit, and administrator is playing a very different game than they were just a year ago.
We are Tife Agunloye and Rex Ah Chu, former NCAA soccer players with a deep passion for college sports. Our goal is to break down complex changes in the industry and highlight the stories shaping its future. We welcome questions, collaborations, and conversations. You can reach us at thenilbrief@gmail.com.