BREAKING NEWS: Five-Star QB Shocks College Football World, Turns Down $7.5M to Join Nebraska Cornhuskers
In a move that’s sending seismic shockwaves through the college football landscape, five-star quarterback phenom Jaxon “Jet” Reddick has decommitted from Coach Deion Sanders’ high-flying Colorado Buffaloes and flipped his commitment to the unlikeliest of destinations — the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The kicker? He reportedly turned down a staggering $7.5 million in NIL deals from suitors like Notre Dame and Florida State to do so.
Reddick, the 6’5″ cannon-armed prodigy out of Long Beach Poly (CA), was widely seen as the crown jewel of the 2025 class. Once dubbed “the next Caleb Williams,” Reddick had narrowed his choices to four: Colorado, Notre Dame, Florida State, and Nebraska. Few expected the Cornhuskers — a team still clawing its way out of decades-long mediocrity — to land him. But as of Thursday morning, the unthinkable is official.
“This decision isn’t about money, flash, or hype. It’s about legacy,” Reddick said in a surprise Instagram Live broadcast, wearing a vintage Tommie Frazier jersey. “Coach Rhule’s vision isn’t about NIL headlines. It’s about building something real. I want to be the one to bring Nebraska back.”
The reaction was instantaneous — and divisive. Colorado fans felt betrayed. Notre Dame backers cried foul play, accusing Nebraska of “under-the-table” promises, despite Reddick’s insistence that he rejected a fully legal, publicly offered $7.5 million NIL deal from South Bend. Florida State supporters were equally stunned, especially after Reddick was spotted at a private dinner with former Seminole legend Jameis Winston just two weeks ago.
“This is either the dumbest move in recruiting history, or the most visionary,” said former ESPN analyst turned independent commentator Marcus Wyatt. “You don’t just say no to nearly $8 million at age 18 unless you’re playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.”
The implications go far beyond one commitment. Reddick’s decision casts a harsh spotlight on the current NIL-driven culture of college football. Critics argue that Nebraska — ranked outside the Top 25 in most preseason polls — is unworthy of a talent like Reddick. Others see his choice as a rejection of “pay-to-play” expectations and a bold call to restore college football’s romantic past.
Yet many insiders are already speculating that something deeper is brewing in Lincoln. Rumors suggest Nebraska’s newly restructured booster collective may be shifting NIL strategy toward long-term equity investments for players, rather than lump-sum cash payouts.
Whether Reddick’s gamble pays off remains to be seen. But in an era where money usually speaks loudest, the high school senior just flipped the script — and possibly, the future — of college football.
One thing is clear: Jaxon Reddick didn’t just choose Nebraska. He chose war against the machine. And all eyes will be on Lincoln this fall.
