In one of the most dramatic twists of the college football recruiting season, the nation’s top-ranked 5-star quarterback has officially decommitted from the University of Texas, turning down a staggering $8.7 million NIL package in the process, and has flipped his commitment to Texas Tech University. The shock decision has sent waves through the sport, with fans, analysts, and rival programs scrambling to understand what could become a game-changing moment in college football history.
The quarterback, regarded as a generational talent with elite arm strength and dual-threat capabilities, had been committed to the Texas Longhorns for nearly a year. With offers and interest from virtually every powerhouse program in the country, including Alabama, Georgia, and USC, many assumed his trajectory was locked into the traditional blue-blood path. But in a stunning turn of events, he announced on social media late Friday night that he will be suiting up for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
“Lubbock felt like home,” the quarterback wrote in his post. “It’s not about the money. It’s about where I believe I can grow, lead, and win. Texas Tech believed in me from the beginning, and I believe in what Coach McGuire is building.”
The mention of Joey McGuire is no coincidence. Since taking over as head coach, McGuire has transformed the Red Raiders into a rising force, fueled by aggressive recruiting, a player-first culture, and a belief that Texas Tech can compete at the highest level. Landing the No. 1 quarterback in the class may be the ultimate validation of that vision.
Sources close to the recruitment revealed that both Alabama and Georgia made strong late pushes, with NIL offers reportedly in the multimillion-dollar range. Texas was said to be offering the largest total package—estimated at $8.7 million in endorsements and NIL deals—but in the end, the quarterback opted for what he described as “fit, not fame.”
College football analysts were stunned by the move. “This could be one of the biggest recruiting flips of the NIL era,” said one 247Sports insider. “You just don’t see a player turn down that kind of money unless he truly believes in something bigger.”
For Texas, the decommitment is a major blow to a class that was shaping up to be among the nation’s best. Meanwhile, in Lubbock, Red Raider fans erupted with celebration across social media, viewing the commitment as a symbol that Texas Tech is no longer playing the role of underdog—they’re here to compete with the best.
With this move, the quarterback has not only reshaped the recruiting class of 2025 but has also sent a powerful message across the country: in an era dominated by money and hype, belief, loyalty, and vision can still win.
And with the top quarterback in the nation now calling Lubbock home, the future of Texas Tech football just got a whole lot brighter.
