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2025-26 #PortalSZN Thread

Schedule detail

Jan 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM
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  1. Seaofred92 Seaofred92
Cliffs? I'm old enough to remember when Rhule said it would take a million to get a QB in the portal and they all clutched their pearls ☠️.



What happens if these fuck you money boosters combined with ever an increasing revenue share due to ever increasing TV deals starts out pricing NFL rookie contracts? We’re pretty much there already. But with the rate of increase we’re seeing players could soon be making more in college than day 1 draft picks. Two and half years ago the top QBs were asking and getting 1-1.5 million, now they asking for over 5 million and some have and will get it.

Couple that with players having 5 years of eligibility… Will players pass up the draft to play college ball for 1-2 more years? Does the NFL want 1st round draft picks taking a pay cut to join the league? With salary caps owners can’t just start offering huge rookie contracts to match college boosters who have no restraints.

What happens when college QBs are making more than their HC? They already make more than position coaches. What other unforeseen consequences will come from turning the power balance on its head and giving all the leverage to 18 and 19 years olds? We need universal regulation ASAP and schools like TT, OSU, Oregon, UGA, aTm are going to do everything possible to stand in the way of regulation and reform. They have the means and capacity to money whip the system and they won’t want that advantage mitigated.
 
Cliffs? I'm old enough to remember when Rhule said it would take a million to get a QB in the portal and they all clutched their pearls ☠️.



In the new age of college football, the transfer portal has become a major piece of roster construction. But what will schools be spending on program-changing talent that enters the transfer portal? The quarterback market is expected to climb to $4 to $5 million for the top quarterbacks available.

On3 is breaking down the highest-valued positions in the portal:

QB market: $750K to $4 million​

The college football quarterback market continues to grow. At least five quarterbacks made upwards of $3 million this season. The price tag for elite signal-callers continues to reach unprecedented heights. More than 20 starting quarterbacks across the country made over $1 million this fall. Tulane transfer quarterback Darian Mensah inked a two-year, $8 million contract last winter, and it’s a deal that could max out up to $10 million with incentives. Carson Beck made roughly $3 to $3.2 million to start this season for Miami.

Now the quarterback market is flooded with high-end talent, including Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby and TCU’s Josh Hoover, among others. Sources have said those deals could touch $4 to $5 million.

DL market: $500K to $1.5 million​

Starting EDGEs and defensive linemen continue to command mid-six-figure deals, but the top talent continues to push the market value up. Stanford EDGE David Bailey’s deal is north of the $2 million mark this season at Texas Tech. Schools have learned how important it is to jump on game-changing linemen, and the need for proven defensive linemen is not leaving college football. The $500,000 mark is really only the starting point.

The defensive tackle position has typically lagged behind EDGEs, but sources have told On3 that Wake Forest’s Mateen Ibirogba is expected to command a seven-figure payday. Winning in the trenches continues to be paramount to winning championships.

OL market: $500K to $1.2 million​

The offensive line market, specifically for offensive tackles, sits in the $500,000 to $1.2 million range. But seven-figure deals for offensive linemen are only becoming more prevalent. The going rate for an elite starting offensive tackle is between $900,000 to $1.2 million. And with the portal bringing bidding wars, names like Isaiah World and Ethan Onianwa were both commanding seven figures last offseason. And if schools aren’t able to secure commitments from offensive linemen quickly on Jan. 2, the price points could skyrocket as schools work to nab commitments.

WR market: $400K to $1 million​

The college football wide receiver market has grown sporadically in recent years, with the going rate for a starting wideout in the $700,000 to $800,000 range. Sources have also pointed out the impact of Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith, who is one of the highest-paid players in the sport. Wide receivers also transfer more than almost any other position, leading to some deals being inflated. At least five wide receivers made north of $1 million this fall. Auburn wide receiver Eric Singleton was one of the most sought-after transfer wide receivers out of Georgia Tech last winter and made over $1 million this season for the Tigers. Similar paydays are expected in the transfer portal for wideouts this year, sources have told On3.

RB market: $350K to $1 million​

The running back market has continued to grow over the last two years. The opinion among industry sources is always different about what a top-end running back should earn. But the elite running backs in college football consistently crawl near seven figures, which is what Quinshon Judkins made last year at Ohio State. This year’s running back market has the chance for multiple running backs to earn over $1 million out of the portal.

DB market: $300K to $850K​

Some programs value the cornerback position, but compared to quarterbacks and the line of scrimmage, this is one of the least valued positions. Part of that reason is the volume of defensive backs available; last year, that number was over 650. But schools have no problems dipping into the war chest if a defensive-changing defensive back goes in. Cornerbacks are more likely to pocket the higher payday, but elite safeties can drive a high-end market. Caleb Downs transferred to Ohio State two years ago and is one of the top-paid defenders in the nation.
 
What happens if these fuck you money boosters combined with ever an increasing revenue share due to ever increasing TV deals starts out pricing NFL rookie contracts? We’re pretty much there already. But with the rate of increase we’re seeing players could soon be making more in college than day 1 draft picks. Two and half years ago the top QBs were asking and getting 1-1.5 million, now they asking for over 5 million and some have and will get it.

Couple that with players having 5 years of eligibility… Will players pass up the draft to play college ball for 1-2 more years? Does the NFL want 1st round draft picks taking a pay cut to join the league? With salary caps owners can’t just start offering huge rookie contracts to match college boosters who have no restraints.

What happens when college QBs are making more than their HC? They already make more than position coaches. What other unforeseen consequences will come from turning the power balance on its head and giving all the leverage to 18 and 19 years olds? We need universal regulation ASAP and schools like TT, OSU, Oregon, UGA, aTm are going to do everything possible to stand in the way of regulation and reform. They have the means and capacity to money whip the system and they won’t want that advantage mitigated.
Like this guy I have no idea where he is on the draft boards but they must think he's going to make more money in college next year.

 
Tim V reporting this guy from New Mexico State visiting in January. Yes, please.

The 6-foot-2, 280lb senior recorded 42 tackles, eleven tackles for loss and six sacks, to go with ten quarterback hurries. He was named PFSN first-team All-American and was the No. 2 rated defensive tackle this season per PFF. Has one year of eligibility remaining.

 
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Tim V reporting this guy visiting in January. Yes, please.

The 6-foot-2, 280lb senior recorded 42 tackles, eleven tackles for loss and six sacks, to go with ten quarterback hurries. He was named PFSN first-team All-American and was the No. 2 rated defensive tackle this season per PFF. Has one year of eligibility remaining.


NMSU listed him as a redshirt senior this year but I guess we are past having rules.
 
What happens if these fuck you money boosters combined with ever an increasing revenue share due to ever increasing TV deals starts out pricing NFL rookie contracts? We’re pretty much there already. But with the rate of increase we’re seeing players could soon be making more in college than day 1 draft picks. Two and half years ago the top QBs were asking and getting 1-1.5 million, now they asking for over 5 million and some have and will get it.

Couple that with players having 5 years of eligibility… Will players pass up the draft to play college ball for 1-2 more years? Does the NFL want 1st round draft picks taking a pay cut to join the league? With salary caps owners can’t just start offering huge rookie contracts to match college boosters who have no restraints.

What happens when college QBs are making more than their HC? They already make more than position coaches. What other unforeseen consequences will come from turning the power balance on its head and giving all the leverage to 18 and 19 years olds? We need universal regulation ASAP and schools like TT, OSU, Oregon, UGA, aTm are going to do everything possible to stand in the way of regulation and reform. They have the means and capacity to money whip the system and they won’t want that advantage mitigated.
Were there. NU allegedly offered EJ like $1.5mm for one more year.
 
Sounded like they had a lot of garbage yards in the 2nd half.
Or at least garbage points. I recall seeing on Twitter people talking about how the JMU OC was on fire early on, but it just wasn't resulting in points.



 
Like this guy I have no idea where he is on the draft boards but they must think he's going to make more money in college next year.



Yeah, sounds like it.

Normally, in lieu of fair regulation competitors would collude against manufacturers and distributors to drive prices down. In CFB there just too many competing enterprises for collusion to work or have any meaningful effect. Everyone, and rightfully so, wants to be no.1. We’re applying free market “values” to an industry that was designed to crown/value only 1 winner, competitive sports. In the professional world, outside of sports, everyone wins when businesses are making money and successful. Yes, some companies might be winning more, but nobody on the Forbes 500 is losing.

We need to stop looking at competitive sports as an industry that fits into free market capitalism like McDonald’s and Burger King do. Being number one is nice but as long as everyone is making money they’re happy. Michigan and Ohio St (or anyone else) are not happy with just being in the top 25, top 10, top 5… Universities competing against each other are not the same as Nike and Addias competing against each other. And we need to stop treating them like they are the same, or even similar.

Right now, for the time being… Manufactures (parents/players) and distributors (parents/agents) have all the leverage and will continue to drive up prices. Until we can find a way to regulate this sumbitch.
 
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