Texas Tech Lands Five-Star OT Felix Ojo With $5.1M NIL Deal

Felix Ojo, a five-star offensive tackle ranked among the top prospects nationally for the 2026 class, made a surprising commitment to Texas Tech over powerhouse programs like Texas, Ohio State, Florida, and Michigan. Central to his decision was a groundbreaking $5.1 million fully guaranteed, three-year revenue-sharing NIL deal, one of the largest in college football history, marking a significant shift in recruiting dynamics following recent federal legalization of direct athlete payments. Ojo's commitment has propelled Texas Tech's 2026 recruiting class from 36th to 23rd nationally and represents the highest-rated signee in the program's history, bolstering the Red Raiders' aggressive NIL-driven recruiting strategy. This outcome is a notable setback for Texas, which has struggled recently to secure top offensive line talent, losing key prospects like Ojo despite aggressive pursuit efforts. Ohio State also faces recruiting challenges, with multiple uncommitted offensive linemen still to announce their decisions, intensifying the competition for top-tier linemen in the coming weeks. Ojo's signing underscores the growing influence of NIL deals in college football recruiting and signals a potential power shift within the Big 12 and nationally.