Breaking News: Five-Star QB Shocks College Football World by Turning Down $7.5 Million, Decommits from Florida, and Flips Commitment to Nebraska over Notre Dame and Florida State
In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the college football world, five-star quarterback phenom Jaxon “Jax” Whitmore, the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, has decommitted from the University of Florida and flipped his commitment to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, rejecting massive NIL offers and powerhouse programs in the process.
Whitmore, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound dual-threat out of Allen, Texas, had previously committed to Florida last November, citing the Gators’ offensive scheme and SEC exposure. However, in a dramatic social media post Tuesday morning, Whitmore declared his intentions to join Nebraska, a program that hasn’t had a five-star quarterback commit since the early 2000s.
“I’m betting on legacy. I’m betting on building something, not just benefiting from it,” Whitmore wrote in a video message posted to his X (formerly Twitter) account, alongside a clip of him walking through Memorial Stadium in Lincoln in full Huskers gear. “$7.5 million sounds great, but chasing greatness means more to me.”
According to multiple sources close to the recruitment, Whitmore turned down an estimated $7.5 million in combined NIL incentives from Florida, Notre Dame, and Florida State. Those deals included luxury vehicles, equity stakes in startups, and high-profile endorsements. Instead, Nebraska’s comparatively modest NIL package—reportedly around $1.2 million—was paired with something money couldn’t buy: full control of the offense, a leadership role in reviving a storied program, and a promise from head coach Matt Rhule to build around him from day one.
Rhule, in a statement released minutes after the announcement, praised Whitmore’s character and vision. “Jax is more than just an elite athlete. He’s a builder, a leader. He wants to create something that lasts. That’s the Nebraska way.”
Whitmore’s decision is already being called one of the most consequential flips of the NIL era. His presence instantly elevates Nebraska’s 2025 recruiting class into the top 10 nationally and marks a major shift in how top talent views tradition-rich, though recently underperforming, programs.
College football analysts are still processing the ramifications. “This isn’t just a flip; it’s a statement,” said ESPN’s Tom Luginbill. “Whitmore could’ve gone to any of the blue-bloods, taken the money, and played safe. Instead, he’s chosen the harder road with potentially bigger long-term payoff if he succeeds.”
Nebraska fans flooded message boards and social media with excitement, with some calling it the biggest moment since Tom Osborne’s final national title. Meanwhile, Florida fans were left reeling, and both Notre Dame and Florida State are now scrambling for quarterback alternatives.
Only time will tell whether Whitmore’s gamble will pay off—but for now, Lincoln, Nebraska is the epicenter of the college football universe.
