BREAKING NEWS: 5-Star QB Shocks Ohio State with Decommitment, Flips Commitment to Nebraska Football Over Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee
In a move that’s sending seismic waves through the college football landscape, 5-star quarterback phenom Malik “Rocket” Rawlins has officially decommitted from Ohio State and announced his stunning commitment to Nebraska football — turning down blue-bloods Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee in the process.
The announcement came via Rawlins’ personal Instagram Live, where the Georgia native, ranked No. 2 overall in the 2025 recruiting class, donned a crisp black Nebraska hoodie, smirking as he tossed aside a scarlet Ohio State cap.
“I know everybody expected me to be a Buckeye,” Rawlins said to over 130,000 live viewers. “But I’m not trying to follow the hype. I’m trying to make history. Nebraska is the future.”
The fallout was immediate. Ohio State fans flooded social media with disbelief and outrage, some accusing Rawlins of being “attention-hungry” and “immature,” while Nebraska fans erupted in jubilant disbelief. One fan posted, “We just stole a Ferrari from the dealership lot. Go Big Red!”
The decision is controversial not just for its surprise, but for its implications. Rawlins had been the centerpiece of Ryan Day’s 2025 class — a surefire NFL-bound dual-threat QB dubbed “the next Lamar Jackson with better accuracy.” For months, Ohio State had paraded his commitment like a crown jewel, even building parts of their spring marketing campaign around his likeness.
Meanwhile, Nebraska — long a sleeping giant — has been clawing its way back to relevance under head coach Matt Rhule. Rawlins’ commitment marks the program’s first 5-star quarterback signing in over two decades and arguably the biggest recruiting coup in the modern era of Cornhusker football.
Sources close to Rawlins reveal that Nebraska’s pitch was “raw and personal.” Rhule reportedly flew down to Atlanta three times in a single month, bringing along former Husker legends and even promising Rawlins “the keys to the program.” A leaked video from the visit shows Rawlins in Memorial Stadium, lights dimmed, with his name projected on the Jumbotron: “Welcome Home, Malik.”
Even more controversial is what Rawlins rejected: Alabama’s NIL mega-deal rumored to be worth $2.8 million, Georgia’s promise of immediate starting reps, and Tennessee’s offer to let him hand-pick an offensive coordinator. “I don’t need seven figures to play football,” Rawlins said during his announcement. “I need belief.”
Recruiting analysts are stunned. “This is unprecedented,” said ESPN’s Tom Luginbill. “A generational talent willingly walks away from established powerhouses to revive a fallen empire. It’s like LeBron taking his talents to Sacramento instead of Miami.”
The NCAA is now reportedly investigating potential tampering claims, particularly from SEC insiders, though no formal allegations have been made. One Alabama staffer, speaking anonymously, called the situation “fishy as hell.”
Whatever the truth is, one thing is clear: Nebraska football just changed overnight. Whether this move becomes legendary or a cautionary tale, Rawlins has etched his name into college football lore — and he hasn’t thrown a single collegiate pass yet.
