Big NIL Value Attached to Texas Tech's 2027 5-Star Commit

Big NIL Value Attached to Texas Tech's 2027 5-Star Commit originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

There’s a new kind of energy in Lubbock. You can feel it in the corridors of Jones AT&T Stadium and the chatter echoing across college football. Texas Tech is no longer lurking in the shadows of bigger brands or settling for second-tier classes. Something has shifted.

This is a program that wants to be more than a “sleeper” or “scrappy Big 12 riser.” With these NIL budgets, it's possible the Red Raiders could eventually be talked about in the same breath as SEC powerhouses — not for tradition, but for transactions.

That shift was made loud and clear with Texas Tech's latest recruiting win, one that sent ripple effects across every corner of the college football ecosystem.

The buzz stems from the newest commitment to hit the Red Raiders' vault. LaDamion Guyton, the nation’s No. 1 EDGE and No. 2 player in the 2027 class per On3, chose Tech over the Georgia Bulldogs, South Carolina Gamecocks, Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers.

But what's interesting isn’t just the signing, it’s the deal behind it.

LaDamion Guyton’s NIL Deal Sets New Standard

Texas Tech is rolling out the red carpet — or perhaps a green one — with a multiyear contract that reflects the changing NIL landscape.

Guyton, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds and racked up 33 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in 20 high school games, is slated to earn roughly $900,000 as a freshman. That jumps to $1.2 million as a sophomore and $1.4 million as a junior. All told, his NIL deal reportedly tops out at $3.5 million.

NEW: Texas Tech 2027 5-star EDGE commit LaDamion Guyton is expected to make $900,000 as a freshman, @PeteNakos_ reports🌵

Details: https://t.co/BV6bKximaWhttps://t.co/P2gKw4jBTcpic.twitter.com/VhhOwZFzQC

— On3 NIL (@On3NIL) August 8, 2025

That kind of guaranteed cash for a high schooler stands out, even in this supercharged era of college pay.

It puts him in rare company, alongside the likes of Texas EDGE Colin Simmons ($1.5 million) and South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart ($1.5 million), who are among the highest-paid defenders entering next season.

Texas Tech’s Spending Blitz Redefines Expectations

This isn’t an isolated move.

Lubbock has quietly become a financial powerhouse in college athletics. The Red Raiders invested more than $10 million in their transfer portal class, securing a Big 12-leading haul that features 21 new players. Overall roster spending is estimated at close to $29 million.

All of that is powered by boosters like Cody Campbell, whose recent $4 billion sale of his energy company supercharged The Matador Club NIL fund.

The result: Texas Tech is now one of the few programs willing to blow past five- and six-figure offers to pull talent in across football, softball, and basketball.

It’s part of a bold strategy to build a contender fast, demonstrating a shift from underdog to player. This NIL approach isn’t just about flashy headlines or PR. It’s reshaping what top-tier recruits expect and where they’ll commit.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.