College football roster costs surge as Texas and Ohio State lead talent and spending

College football roster costs are rising significantly as programs invest heavily in player compensation and transfer portal acquisitions. For the 2026 season, several programs have surpassed the $40 million threshold for roster spending, including Miami, Texas, Ohio State, Oregon, LSU, and Texas A&M.

In the SEC, teams such as Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Tennessee are spending between $30 million and $40 million. The Big Ten also sees high expenditures, with Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, USC, and Wisconsin all exceeding $30 million in roster costs.

Beyond financial metrics, industry executives have identified Texas and Ohio State as possessing the most talented rosters heading into the 2026 season. Texas received the most mentions from insiders due to its collection of raw talent, while Ohio State was highly regarded for its unmatched depth across the entire roster.