The 2026 recruiting classes are finalized as Wednesday marked National Signing Day. According to 247Sports, the top five classes belong to the USC Trojans, Oregon Ducks, Alabama Crimson Tide, Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
In total, 18 teams secured a five-star recruit, including the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who recently made a College Football Playoff appearance. The recruit is offensive tackle Felix Ojo from Mansfield, Texas. He ranks No. 5 at his position and No. 48 overall in his class.
Advertisement
He chose to commit to Texas Tech, turning down offers from prestigious programs such as Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, USC, Georgia and Oregon. However, despite receiving numerous offers, a couple of anonymous general managers identified him as the most overpaid player in the 2026 recruiting class.
Texas Tech 5-Star offensive lineman Felix Ojo.Felix Ojo/X
(Felix Ojo/X)
In a survey conducted by On3’s Pete Nakos, four general managers and staff members were asked if there were any players they felt were significantly overpaid during the signing cycle. Seven responses indicated that Ojo was considered overpaid. He reportedly signed a three-year deal with an expected average annual salary of $775,000.
Advertisement
“Felix Ojo,” an SEC general manager told Nakos. “Texas Tech paid for measurables over tape. Every year, we get hit on high-ranked guys who aren’t good. If Jackson Cantwell actually got $5 million over three years, that’s a big risk.”
“Ojo is overrated,” another SEC general manager said. “When I arrived here, we were recruiting him. I put on his tape and immediately took us off him. He stinks.”
The backlash surrounding Ojo’s NIL deal highlights a growing tension across college football as programs weigh upside against financial risk. Texas Tech’s willingness to outbid traditional powers reflects a broader shift, where aggressive NIL strategies can level the recruiting playing field, but also invite scrutiny when projections don’t align with on-field evaluations.
Advertisement
From a historical standpoint, high-profile “boom or bust” recruits are nothing new, but NIL has raised the stakes dramatically. Anonymous general managers’ comments suggest skepticism not just toward Ojo, but toward the broader trend of paying premiums for measurables over proven production. For programs like Texas Tech, the gamble signals ambition and confidence, while critics see it as a warning sign of an unregulated market.
Looking ahead, Ojo’s development will be closely monitored as an early litmus test for NIL-driven recruiting bets. If he becomes an anchor on the Red Raiders’ offensive line, the investment will look visionary. If not, his deal may be cited for years as an example of why programs are calling for clearer guardrails as NIL spending continues to escalate into future signing cycles.
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.