The Texas Longhorns are stacking cash and talent heading into 2025. With a wave of transfer portal stars and booming NIL deals, this roster isn’t just elite—it’s expensive. However, leading the charge? Arch Manning. The young QB already holds the highest NIL valuation in college sports, per On3’s NIL 100 tracker. And he’s not slowing down—Manning just inked a fresh deal with Vuori, the rising athletic wear brand. So, Texas isn’t just chasing titles; they’re setting the gold standard.

However, Arch Manning might be the highest-paid Longhorn, but he’s not costing Texas a dime. According to the Houston Chronicle, every NIL deal he’s secured came through family connections, not school involvement. And that’s especially notable with Texas’ roster projected to hit $35–$40 million this season. Right now, sources say several players could command seven-figure paydays. Yet, Manning’s deals don’t impact the team’s budget at all. With that weight off Texas’ books, the stage is now set for Arch to rise and fully embrace the QB1 spotlight.

“Next Mann Up: Arch Manning.” That’s how Vuori introduced its newest star athlete in a buzzworthy social media post. However, this one’s all about more than football for Arch Manning. “From his outstanding work ethic on and off the field to his unique ability to stay true to himself despite his rising status,” said Vuori, adding, “our new athlete @archmanning embodies what winning really means to us: a passion to perform, and an inner knowing that true strength starts within.” Right now, Manning has a $6.6 million NIL valuation, according to On3.

But even before he took the field as a starter, Arch Manning was already a marketing machine. Now that he’s QB1 for the Longhorns, his NIL stock is soaring. The star QB is cashing in with major brands like EA Sports, Panini America, Red Bull, Uber, and now Vuori. With the Texas One Fund fueling the program, the financial firepower is real. Honestly, Manning isn’t just stepping into the spotlight—he’s redefining what it means to be a CFB star in the NIL era.

Manning may steal the spotlight, but Ryan Wingo and Colin Simmons are carving their own paths in the NIL game. Wingo, with a $1.5 million valuation, is making moves with deals from Vanguard Volkswagen, KANE Footwear, Legends Clothing, and Kollective Social Performance Club. He’s also forming strong ties with local entities like the Bullock Museum and Dell Medical Center. On the defensive side, Simmons isn’t far behind, valued at $1.5 million. His endorsements include Vanguard Volkswagen, KANE Footwear, and ArcAustin. But Simmons isn’t just about business—he’s co-founded “Clay’s Color Crew,” a nonprofit helping children with autism in South Dallas. Together, these stars showcase the power of both talent and branding in the NIL era.

However, honestly, Texas is spending like a powerhouse—and it shows. The Longhorns are set to drop between $35–40 M on their 2025 football roster. With stars like Arch Manning leading the NIL charge, the program is flexing serious financial muscle. So, in the new era of CFB, Texas isn’t just building a team—they’re building a dynasty.

Why is Texas investing this big?

Simply because the Longhorns are all-in. With the SEC move locked in and national title hopes alive, Texas isn’t just playing catch-up—they’re aiming to lead the NIL arms race. However, the roster has been stacked with 10 portal additions, and maybe more are on the way. But big talent costs big money. And right now, the cost of greatness in Austin is sitting somewhere between $35 and $40 million.

That eye-popping number includes projected revenue-sharing (~$20.5M) and payouts through the Texas One Fund. But don’t expect this spending spree to last forever. “It’s just unsustainable,” a source told the Houston Chronicle, hinting that reality will hit after this season. Texas plans to pivot away from collective-driven payouts toward a corporate NIL model. For now, though, the price of chasing greatness is sky-high—and the Longhorns are swiping the card with no hesitation.

But Texas didn’t just spend big—they went big. One of the splashiest pickups? Travis Shaw. The 6-foot-5.5, 330-pound defensive lineman arrives from North Carolina with serious hype. He’s built to plug gaps, collapse pockets, and bully offensive lines. Shaw brings instant muscle to a Texas front looking to own the trenches. So, with the Longhorns projected to drop up to $40 million on this roster, adding a force like Shaw proves they’re all-in on winning now.