ESPN recently conducted a survey of more than a dozen college football general managers and front‑office staff to gauge the projected market values for Power Five players heading into the 2026 season. The study comes after the spring portal was eliminated, removing a layer of player movement that previously influenced roster planning.
Quarterbacks emerge as the most valuable assets, with market estimates ranging from one million to three million dollars, and the average starting quarterback expected to command over two million. This premium reflects both on‑field impact and the strategic importance of the position in modern offensive schemes.
Running backs, by contrast, are valued between three hundred thousand and eight hundred thousand dollars. The report notes that standout backs such as Florida’s Jadan Baugh, Ole Miss’s Kewan Lacy, and Louisville’s Isaac Brown are helping to push the ceiling of those figures.
Wide receivers are projected to earn between four hundred thousand and one million dollars, while the overall compensation structure mirrors professional salary‑cap principles, even though college football lacks a formal salary system.
Conference financial disparities
Programs in the SEC and Big Ten enjoy greater fiscal flexibility, allowing them to outspend rivals in the ACC and Big 12 when building competitive rosters. This disparity widens the gap in roster‑building capabilities across conferences.
Analysts suggest that many teams aim for a sweet spot of five hundred thousand to six hundred thousand dollars for running backs, balancing performance expectations with budget constraints. This convergence toward NFL‑style allocation underscores how college programs are increasingly adopting professional‑grade financial strategies.
Key Players Shaping the Market
The emergence of standout talents like Jadan Baugh, Kewan Lacy, and Isaac Brown illustrates how individual performance can ripple through broader salary expectations, prompting programs to adjust their compensation models to retain top prospects.