College football’s recruiting landscape is changing, and not entirely in favor of high school prospects. According to early intel on the 2027 recruiting cycle, program decision-makers across the sport expect schools to significantly dial back NIL spending on high school recruits compared with the cash splurges of the 2026 class.
Recruiting in College Football Enters a New Era
Elite prospects, such as offensive linemen and quarterbacks, once commanded multiyear deals worth millions. But a Big Ten general manager told ESPN that "high school spending is going to get a lot lower" as programs become more selective and strategic with their resources.