Updated Saturday, September 5, 2026. Figures are reported estimates; Texas does not publish its football payroll. Refreshes after each portal window.
By most accounts Texas has the most expensive roster in college football in 2026, at roughly $47.9 million, and the reason is structural more than any single player. The starting quarterback took less than he could have, and the program spent the savings on the offensive line, a transfer receiver and running backs from the portal. Steve Sarkisian described it as an extra five million to spend on Cam Coleman and others.
| Player | Pos | On3 valuation | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Coleman | WR | $3M | 40th overall, 15th in football |
| Colin Simmons | EDGE | $2.5M | 51st overall |
| Arch Manning | QB | $2.5M | 52nd overall; $3.5M plus in outside endorsements |
| David Punch | PF (basketball) | $4M | 22nd overall |
| Isaiah Johnson | PG (basketball) | $3.5M | 25th overall |
On3 NIL 100 as of September 4, 2026, deal based model. Valuations track school and collective compensation, not endorsements.
How Texas Spends
Texas’ roster figure stacks its revenue share allocation, which is capped at $21.3 million across all sports for 2026 to 27, with collective and third party NIL money on top. The 2025 roster was reported at $35 million to $40 million; the 2026 figure of $47.9 million from OutKick’s May valuation puts it first nationally, and CBS Sports’ August survey placed Texas in the top tier alongside Miami, Oregon, Ohio State, LSU, Texas A&M and Notre Dame.
The money went where the holes were. Coleman, a transfer from Auburn, is the second highest valued receiver in the country. Left tackle Trevor Goosby had to be paid to stay out of the NFL draft after a first team All SEC season. The running back room was rebuilt through the portal. Opendorse data reported by the Houston Chronicle says an above average Power Four starting quarterback costs $2.5 million to $3 million on his own, so Manning at $2.5 million from the school is roughly market rate, not a bargain, and the savings came from what he chose not to ask for.
The Manning Factor
Manning’s endorsement portfolio (Red Bull, Uber, Topps, Google Gemini, Warby Parker and more) is the largest in college football and is detailed on our Arch Manning NIL page. Opendorse co founder Blake Lawrence has called starting quarterback at Texas the most valuable position in college sports: the biggest market in the country without a pro team, the biggest athletic budget, and a national brand. That is why Sarkisian can tell recruits’ families the Texas quarterback will get his money from national brands and the program can spend on everyone else.
The Bottom Line
Texas spends more on its football roster than anyone, roughly $47.9 million by the most cited estimate, and does it with a quarterback who takes less than market so the program can pay Cam Coleman, Colin Simmons and the offensive line. The full national list is on our most expensive rosters page, and the highest paid players on highest NIL valuations. Related: Texas football schedule, Texas depth chart.