Breaking News: Five-Star WR Shocks College Football World by Rejecting $6.5 Million, Decommits from LSU, Flips to Arizona State
In one of the most stunning twists of the 2025 college football recruiting cycle, five-star wide receiver Jaylen “Jet” Harmon has flipped his commitment from LSU to Arizona State University, turning down a staggering $6.5 million in NIL offers. The 6’2”, 195-pound phenom from Dallas, Texas, had been verbally committed to the LSU Tigers since late September, but his shocking reversal has set the recruiting world ablaze.
Harmon, ranked No. 4 overall in the 2025 class and the No. 1 wide receiver by multiple outlets, made the announcement via a live Instagram session late Thursday night. Clad in a crisp maroon Arizona State hoodie, Harmon delivered a short but powerful message: “It’s not just about money. It’s about legacy. I’m taking my talents to Tempe.”
According to sources close to the recruitment, Harmon was offered a multi-school NIL bidding war, with LSU, Notre Dame, and Tennessee all prepared to exceed $6 million in total value over four years. LSU’s package reportedly included deals with major Baton Rouge-based companies, national endorsement opportunities, and personal branding initiatives. Tennessee was said to have structured a groundbreaking crypto-based NIL portfolio. Notre Dame promised a lucrative media venture tied to its national alumni base.
Yet Harmon, whose nickname “Jet” comes from his 4.32 40-yard dash time and acrobatic touchdown grabs, chose a different path. His decision to join Arizona State stunned insiders, as the Sun Devils had not been listed among his top five schools just weeks earlier.
Newly hired Arizona State head coach Marcus Freeman, formerly at Notre Dame, is believed to have played a major role in swaying Harmon. Freeman, who took over the program in January, reportedly made Harmon his top priority, pitching him on becoming the “face of a revolution” in Tempe.
“This is about building something historic,” Freeman said in a Friday morning press conference. “Jaylen didn’t choose the biggest paycheck. He chose the biggest opportunity to impact a program and rewrite what people think is possible.”
Insiders say Harmon was also drawn to Arizona State’s up-tempo offense, coordinated by former NFL coach Eric Bieniemy, and the chance to be a day-one starter. Additionally, Harmon cited ASU’s journalism school and Tempe’s growing tech scene as factors in his decision, indicating a long-term vision beyond football.
The fallout has been immediate. LSU fans flooded social media with disbelief and anger, while Arizona State’s fanbase erupted in celebration. Recruiting analysts have dubbed this “the flip of the decade,” and it may signal a seismic shift in how elite prospects weigh NIL offers versus personal values and development.
While the Tigers regroup and Notre Dame and Tennessee are left scratching their heads, one thing is clear: Jaylen Harmon just changed the game.
