College Football's New Era: Recruits Pocket Millions

High school football recruits are entering a new era where direct payment is becoming standard, following the NCAA's House v. NCAA settlement. Beyond scholarship agreements, many Power 4 prospects will sign revenue-sharing contracts, detailing their compensation directly from schools, a significant departure from previous NIL arrangements.

Compensation varies widely, with recruiting rankings and projected immediate impact playing crucial roles. Elite five-star quarterbacks can command annual sums ranging from $750,000 to $1 million, while other positions see substantial but generally lower figures. Multi-year deals are uncommon, with quarterbacks and offensive linemen being the most frequent recipients.

While top-tier programs offer significant sums, Group of 5 schools have more limited budgets, often providing five-figure compensation or relying on future performance-based incentives. Despite the costs, securing high school talent remains vital for long-term program building, even as the transfer portal offers immediate solutions.