During the 2018 fiscal year, public schools in the SEC averaged more than $1.3 million in football recruiting costs, compared with public schools in the Big 12 ($961,981), ACC ($938,424), Big 10 ($855,437) and Pac-12 ($708,750).

The SEC spent the most, but costs are climbing nationwide. Texas’ expenditures increased from $420,227 in 2016 to $1.82 million in 2018. Meanwhile, less prominent programs such as Kansas, Minnesota and Utah were among the 19 Power Five public schools to pass the $1 million list in 2018.