For the young readers here, there was this great song by the classic R&B group, The O'Jays, called "For the Love of Money" and the intro lyrics are a description of the need for money in today's college football landscape.
"Some people got to have it...some people really need it."
Well, the Miami Hurricanes have got a lot of it thanks to the extra $30M take-home payment received after last year's run in the CFP, and they know how to spend it.
CBS Sports released a story about the most expensive rosters in college football this week and one thing is crystal clear — the Hurricanes are investing heavily in a season that they hope will be the program its sixth national championship.
A $40 million roster in college football? Try 7. @JTalty and I spoke to dozen of sources to pinpoint the most expensive rosters in the sport. These are the 12 that standout with price tags starting in the upper 30s.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) August 17, 2026
"That s*** adds up quick."https://t.co/CC3IJGRijy pic.twitter.com/0m04ZV6zz6
Miami is putting some dollars behind its championship dreams
The Hurricanes are one of seven programs that are projected to have spent over $40 million on this season's roster, joining Notre Dame, Ohio State, LSU, Oregon. Texas and Texas A&M. There are a few potential playoff contenders, like Georgia, Michigan, USC, Alabama and Indiana, the defending CFP champions, that are sitting between the $30–40 million range.
Miami has brought it several big-ticket players from the transfer portal and none has a higher price tag than quarterback Darian Mensah. Chris Hummer and John Talty write:
"The Hurricanes had one of the most expensive rosters in the sport last season, and they're well into the $40 million range for 2026... Miami might be the most aggressive school in the country from a NIL perspective, and it's paid off with back-to-back 10-win seasons."
Miami is investing for now and the future
Players like Mensah and edge rusher Damon Wilson II are expected to perform well enough in 2026 that they will be off to the NFL after the season, which will allow the Hurricanes to reset the finances for the following year.
There will be some major players that need to be retained, like Malachi Toney, Bryce Fitzgerald and incoming offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell, but there is a 2027 recruiting class with a lot of five-star players that also aren't playing for free. It's a lot to balance and a lot to put on the balance sheet.
By locking up top players like five-star athlete A'mir Sears, five-star quarterback Israel Abrams and five-star cornerback Donte Wright, the Hurricanes are hoping that retention brings more long-term value than bidding for top players at premium positions in the transfer portal. After a while that can get really expensive.
But the good news is that the ACC gives up a full payout for winning big and that's why the Hurricanes are riding in the driver's seat and are $15+ million clear of anyone else in the conference. Another big playoff run would only widen that gap.
The old adage is that winning comes at a big price, and it's one that Miami is more than winning to pay for.
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