College football cash kings: Texas A&M ranks among nation's top spenders this season
In a recent survey compiled by On3 Sports, Texas A&M ranks as one of the top spenders in college football this season.
Becoming financially sound is an integral part of garnering national attention from recruits and translating that to success on the gridiron in this era of collegiate athletics. According to Pete Nakos, second-year head coach Mike Elko and the Aggies are tied with Miami as the fifth-biggest spenders in the country this season.
Texas is the only team in the Southeastern Conference ranked above Texas A&M, as the Longhorns rank at No. 1 on Nakos' survey. While the sport, and college athletics as a whole, have become more focused on a school's economic situation, the transfer portal has increased dramatically and recruits are hanging their hats on where they can benefit the most from NIL (Name, image and likeness) compensation.
Here is the full list of the top-spending programs in college football, provided by Nakos and On3 Sports on Tuesday morning:
After hiring head coach Mike Elko on Nov. 27, 2023, Texas A&M recorded its first eight-win season since 2021. The Aggies finished Elko's first campaign in Bryan-College Station, Texas, with an 8-5 overall record, which included a loss to USC in the Las Vegas Bowl to cap off the year.
If the program wants to reach the next level, it will require a financial investment in prospects who will help mold the future of the program through their performances on the gridiron. The last time the Aggies achieved a 10-win season was in 2012, when quarterback Johnny Manziel was shredding defenses every Saturday.
Can Texas A&M become one of the top programs in the country? The short answer is that they absolutely can. Athletic director Trev Alberts seems to be invested in adapting to the ever-changing landscape of college football, as he continues to praise the way that Elko and company handle the shift on the recruiting trail.
"I've had a chance to listen to all of what they're selling. Again, it's genuine. It's real. It's not just football," Alberts said. "It's the total person development. That kind of stuff matters to moms and dads and grandparents and other people. So, again, I just think Mike (Elko) has worked really, really hard at it. I'm excited about the future of our football program."
Following a full summer of recruiting that still has yet to officially end, the program has secured the No. 4 recruiting class for 2026. With one five-star and 18 four-star prospects already committed to gear up in the Maroon and White uniform next fall, the Aggies' class has received an impressive 92.377 score via On3 Sports.
Bringing top-ranked talent to Aggieland can only increase Texas A&M's chances of setting the program up for success. With Elko continuing to help rebuild the infrastructure from the ground up, the next few years of wise NIL spending and recruiting in College Station could help boost the Aggies to new heights.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
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