USC Reportedly Spent $10-12 Million On College Football’s No. 1 Recruiting Class

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USC Reportedly Spent -12 Million On College Football’s No. 1 Recruiting Class

College football continues to evolve under the presence of an ever-stronger transfer portal and the new NIL economics impacting the sport.

Few moves, however, have made as much noise as those combining to form the USC Trojans’ 2026 recruiting class.

According to a report by On3’s Pete Nakos, quoting 13 anonymous Power Four general managers and NIL personnel staffers, the Trojans may have spent between $10–12 million to land what is currently the nation’s top class, per a SEC staffer’s speculation.

Nakos also reported that 12 out of 13 people interviewed for the article by On3 pointed to USC as the highest spender in the 2026 cycle. The program has 36 total commits, including three five-stars in the 247Sports Composite ranks, and multiple sources estimated a total spend in the eight-figure range.

Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action.Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

“They’re doing something because they spent a lot of fucking money,” one Big 12 GM told On3. “They got a good class. But is Lincoln [Riley] going to be the one to see them grow up? Or is it going to be like Jimbo Fisher?”

One source close to the USC program told Nakos that “most of the cash doled out to put together the 2026 class was front-loaded before revenue-sharing went into effect last summer.”

Among the highest-valued deals is that of five-star tight end Mark Bowman, who sources quoted in Nakos’ report said signed a contract worth between $5 and $6.5 million over three years.

“Mark Bowman got paid,” said a Big 12 GM. “That guy has to be a major hit, a grand slam.”

Despite the massive financial figures, Bowman reportedly took less NIL money from USC than he was offered elsewhere, although On3 reported Bowman’s NIL valuation sits at around “$8-10 million over the next three years.”

As NIL spending continues to spark debate, Nakos’ reporting and the sources speaking in it highlighted how essential high school recruiting still is in the modern landscape.

“You can’t put together a top-25 class if you’re not doing it,” one Big Ten GM told On3.

Related: Nation’s No. 1 Quarterback Joins Arch Manning With Blockbuster NIL Deal

Related: Another SEC QB Sues NCAA Over Eligibility for 2026 College Football Season

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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