Taking into account that I don't know what the current budget is other than a ballpark amount I would say about 10-25% with someone who can identify trends across their peers and adjust that number year to year VT needs to stay competitive with their peers: that doesn't mean every ACC team, just a group that has similar characteristics as VT Clemson ND NCSU (most years) Wake GT BC Pitt In addition to (somewhat) regional peers of the same ilk Iowa State PSU WVU Cincinnati Maryland Rutgers South Carolina Miss State That is who VT should be looking to box out for both recruits and resources They can occasionally steal from schools tiered above them and should look to offset by stealing hidden gems from schools below them, but the above is pretty much their direct competition Be better than half of those and you're on the bubble. Be better than most and you're probably in