BREAKING NEWS: 5-STAR QB SHOCKS COLLEGE FOOTBALL WORLD — REJECTS $8.7 MILLION NIL DEAL, DECOMMITS FROM TEXAS LONGHORNS AND COMMITS TO TEXAS TECH OVER ALABAMA GEORGIA……………..
May 3, 2025 | National College Football Desk – ESPN REPORT
In one of the most unexpected recruiting flips in recent memory, five-star quarterback phenom Jalen Ricks has decommitted from the University of Texas, turned down a massive $8.7 million NIL package, and announced his commitment to Texas Tech University, stunning fans, coaches, and analysts across the country. The move, confirmed early Saturday morning via Ricks’ social media, defies the current era of NIL-driven recruiting and sends shockwaves through the national college football landscape.
> “I’m taking my talents to Lubbock, Texas. I’m a Red Raider now,” Ricks posted on X (formerly Twitter), alongside a video showing him in Texas Tech’s iconic red and black uniform, holding a scarlet helmet under the lights of Jones AT&T Stadium. “This decision was about more than money. It’s about trust, fit, and the legacy I want to build.”
Ricks Rejects Longhorns, Spurns National Powerhouses
Ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2025 class by ESPN and No. 1 dual-threat QB by 247Sports, Ricks had been a cornerstone of Texas’ top-3 ranked recruiting class. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound signal caller from Duncanville High School had verbally committed to the Longhorns in July 2024 and was believed to be the future face of Steve Sarkisian’s offense.
According to multiple sources, Texas had assembled an NIL deal totaling $8.7 million over three years, including endorsements, appearances, and equity in emerging athlete-driven media ventures. Alabama and Georgia had both entered late with aggressive offers, rumored to exceed $10 million in NIL value combined, along with immediate quarterback competition promises and multi-year starting guarantees.
But in a dramatic turn, Ricks turned them all down—for a Red Raiders program that has never secured a commitment from a five-star quarterback in the modern recruiting era.
Why Texas Tech?
Insiders say Ricks developed a deep and unexpected connection with Texas Tech Head Coach Joey McGuire and new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, a Red Raider legend and former NFL quarterback known for his Air Raid pedigree.
Sources close to the Ricks family told ESPN that Tech’s vision of building an offense around Jalen—not just inserting him into an existing system—was the key factor. McGuire reportedly spent months developing a personalized development plan, emphasizing leadership, freedom in scheme design, and mentorship from Harrell.
> “They believed in Jalen as a person, not just a product,” said one recruiting insider. “They didn’t try to outbid other schools. They out-trusted them.”
College Football World Reacts
The reaction from the college football world has been instant and dramatic.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum called the flip, “The biggest recruiting shock since Travis Hunter chose Jackson State over Florida State. But this may be even bigger, given the financial implications.”
Recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill noted, “This is the first major signal that not every elite prospect is chasing the highest NIL number. Fit, vision, and belief still matter.”
Social media exploded with reactions, both celebratory and incredulous. Longhorns fans expressed disbelief, while Red Raider Nation erupted with joy. #GunsUp and #RicksToTech trended nationally within minutes of the announcement.
Impact on Texas, Alabama, Georgia — and Tech
The loss is a major blow to Texas, who had viewed Ricks as the successor to current standout QB Arch Manning, expected to enter the NFL Draft after the 2025 season. Coach Steve Sarkisian released a brief statement thanking Ricks and his family, noting, “Recruiting is a journey. We wish Jalen nothing but success and will move forward with confidence in our class.”
Alabama and Georgia, both in the mix late, are likely to ramp up pursuit of other top QBs, including four-star prospects still uncommitted in the Southeast.
But the biggest ripple effect is felt in Lubbock. Texas Tech, long seen as a middle-tier Big 12 program, just landed the centerpiece of what could become the school’s greatest recruiting class in history. The Red Raiders have also quietly assembled top-25 national recruiting momentum, bolstered by new NIL collectives and a recently upgraded football complex.
> “We’re not just here to compete. We’re here to win,” Coach Joey McGuire said at a surprise press event Saturday afternoon. “Jalen Ricks believes in what we’re building—and now the world will see what that looks like.”
More Than a Player: A Statement of Principle
Perhaps more important than his on-field potential, Ricks’ decision signals a possible shift in the mindset of elite high school athletes. With NIL deals reshaping the recruiting world, his move suggests that culture, system fit, and belief in a long-term vision may still trump cash.
> “Money fades. Legacy lasts,” Ricks said in his commitment video. “I want to do something nobody saw coming. And I’m going to do it in Lubbock.”
Jalen Ricks will graduate in December and plans to enroll early at Texas Tech in January 2026.
As the college football world recalibrates, one thing is certain: the Red Raiders just changed the game.
