The 2026 college football season is already intriguing fans after the first AP Top 25 Poll dropped Monday. However, the main talking point entering the fall is the very expensive college football rosters.
The world of NIL is reaching absurd levels with some schools’ squads costing in the tens of millions. That’s why ever transfer portal season matters significantly more than ever with top teams jockeying for players.
MORE: College football top 25 rankings 2026, Preseason AP Top 25 Poll released
Ohio State and Oregon lead the way with expectations as the Big Ten’s rise continues. Meanwhile, other top programs like Georgia, LSU and Texas are ensuring that the SEC’s recognition doesn’t fade heading into a new campaign.
CBS Sports released an in-depth piece this week detailing the schools that spend the most money on their squads.
These 7 college football rosters are exploding with talent after schools invested heavily in their programs for the 2026 season.
MORE: This SEC top-10 contender will fall out of AP Top 25 by season’s end
College football’s most expensive squads
LSU Tigers
Top-earning player: Jordan Seaton (OT)
The Tigers are banking on Lane Kiffin’s arrival restoring the program’s success in 2026. Meanwhile, the school’s reported $50 million roster spending makes that a bit easier to recruit elite players.
LSU’s brought in Sam Leavitt at quarterback, as well as talented lineman Seaton from Colorado this offseason.
MIami (FL) Hurricanes
Top-earning player: Darian Mensah (QB)
Miami reportedly boasts a roster with a $40 million-plus price tag after Mensah’s arrival from Duke. The Hurricanes are hopeful that their experience and Mario Cristobal’s defense can put the ACC team back in the national title mix.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Top-earning player: C.J. Carr (QB)
CBS reveals that the predominant amount of Notre Dame’s spending comes from recruiting high school players. However, Carr’s the prized piece to the Fighting Irish puzzle as he prepares for a Heisman Trophy-contending season.
Notre Dame supposedly spends over $40 million annually to bolster its roster.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Top-earning player: Jeremiah Smith (WR)
The Buckeyes enter 2026 with the top spot in the AP Poll’s preseason rankings. However, that’s easy to see why with elite talent like Smith and Julian Sayin guiding the offense.
Ohio State reportedly spent over $30 million on the current iteration of the squad, despite athletic director Ross Bjork suggesting that number was in the $20 million range.
Oregon Ducks
Top-earning player: Dante Moore (QB)
The Ducks are back in the national championship picture with Moore returning to Eugene for another season. Meanwhile, Oregon’s spending habits are very natural given the school’s connection with Nike.
Oregon is typically near the top of the NIL spending charts with their lavish jerseys and impressive facilities to offer players.
MORE: Ohio State’s Senior Day move shows how much Michigan still rattles Buckeyes
Texas Longhorns
Top-earning player: Cam Coleman (WR)
The Longhorns’ roster likely exceeds $40 million when accounting for their new star receiver and Arch Manning. The two early Heisman hopefuls are just a few of the big-name players that have put Texas back on the national spotlight.
Texas A&M Aggies
Top-earning player: Marcel Reed (QB)
The Aggies already have the top recruiting class for 2027, but their current team is still funded heavily to the tune of at least $30 million.
Texas A&M is one of several SEC teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, but which makes sense with Reed’s return to the school.
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