The race to dominate college football recruiting has entered a new era with the explosion of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. As college football programs increasingly rely on NIL collectives to attract elite talent, new rankings from the 2024-25 season reveal which schools are leading the charge and which programs, like Colorado, are just missing the cut.
Only Four Teams Average Over $200K in NIL Deals
According to the latest NCAA data, just four programs boast an average NIL value exceeding $200,000 per athlete:
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Texas – $248K
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Oregon – $232K
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Michigan – $235K
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Alabama – $213K
These programs aren’t just paying big, they’re landing elite athletes. Each sits comfortably above the 92% mark in 4-star and 5-star talent, with Oregon leading the group at 94.74% blue-chip prospects.
Texas Leads the Pack in NIL Power
The University of Texas continues to show why it’s a national powerhouse, both on the field and in the bank. With $22.2 million raised by its NIL collective in 2024, the Longhorns lead all schools in total NIL funding. Texas also keeps 60% of its talent in-state, helping the Longhorns maintain strong recruiting pipelines without traveling far (avg. recruit distance: 442.9 miles).
Colorado Close, But Not Top 10
Coach Deion Sanders has made headlines for transforming Colorado into a trendy destination for recruits, but the Buffaloes missed the Top 10 NIL rankings. With an average NIL of $120K and a 50% blue-chip ratio, Colorado currently sits at No. 35 overall. Though they generate attention, the program still lags behind national contenders in collective size and recruiting metrics.
Who’s Funding the Future? Top NIL Collectives in 2024
Here’s a quick look at the top NIL fundraisers by school this year:
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Texas – $22.2M
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Ohio State – $20.2M
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LSU – $20.1M
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Georgia – $18.3M
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Texas A&M – $17.2M
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Michigan – $16.3M
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Alabama / Florida – $15.9M
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Clemson – $15.2M
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Oklahoma – $14.8M
KEEP READING: Top 10 Texas Longhorns by NIL Worth
As NIL continues reshaping college football recruiting, these rankings show which programs adapt fastest. With only four schools topping the $200K threshold, elite-level funding remains rare, but programs like Texas, Oregon, and Michigan prove that significant investments can land big-time talent.
Colorado may not be there yet, but with Coach Prime at the helm and momentum building, they’re closer than ever to breaking into the top tier.
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