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USC to make 5-star phenom highest-paid TE recruit ever, per report
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USC is set to make 5-star tight end Mark Bowman the highest-paid recruit of all-time at his position.
On3 reported on Wednesday afternoon that the value of Bowman’s NIL deal is between $5 and $6.5 million over 3 years.
The Trojans went hard after the tight end phenom from down the road a bit in Santa Ana, Calif. Bowman is 1 of the prizes of the 2026 recruiting class, and he currently stars at national powerhouse Mater Dei. USC made sure he was properly compensated after Bowman committed to USC on May 30.
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Bowman is the 13th-ranked player overall in the 2026 recruiting class. He’s also the top-rated tight end in the class and the 3rd-ranked player from the state of California, which turns out some of the best high school football talent annually.
Bowman chose the Big Ten back in May over top SEC programs like Georgia, Alabama and Texas. He’s staying in California, and the money he”ll be making certainly had to help sway his decision.
If nothing else puts the NIL deal in perspective, there is this: Bowman’s deal is a higher total value than that of Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson, a Pro Bowler in 2023 who is earning a $4.3 million rookie contract over 4 years.