BREAKING NEWS: Five-Star QB Shocks College Football World by Turning Down $6.3 Million, Decommits from Penn State, Flips to West Virginia Over Notre Dame and Florida State
In a seismic shakeup that’s sending shockwaves through college football recruiting circles, Malachi Carter, the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the 2026 class, has decommitted from Penn State and flipped his commitment to West Virginia University — stunning coaches, boosters, and fans across the country.
Carter, a 6-foot-4 dual-threat phenom from DeSoto, Texas, announced the decision on social media early Sunday morning, just hours after informing Penn State’s coaching staff during a private midnight Zoom call. But what turned heads most wasn’t just the decommitment — it was Carter’s reported decision to turn down a massive $6.3 million NIL package tied to staying in Happy Valley.
“I’m not chasing checks. I’m chasing legacy,” Carter wrote. “West Virginia felt like home. They believed in me when it wasn’t trendy. I’m ready to make Morgantown a national powerhouse.”
Sources close to the situation confirmed that Notre Dame and Florida State had made eleventh-hour pitches involving large NIL collectives and alumni-driven perks. Florida State reportedly offered Carter a chance to train under NFL consultants in Tallahassee, while Notre Dame pulled in multiple alumni — including a Heisman winner — to make a personal appeal. But it was West Virginia head coach Neal Brown’s relentless recruitment and a surprise campus visit that sealed the deal.
“They rolled out the blue carpet,” said Carter’s father, Marcus Carter. “The energy in Morgantown was real. The fans knew Malachi the second we stepped off the plane. He told me, ‘Dad, this is what family feels like.’”
The Mountaineers’ offensive coordinator, Ron Johnson, played a key role. According to insiders, Johnson broke down a custom-designed spread-option playbook built specifically for Carter’s skillset. The coaching staff reportedly showed him simulated game film featuring his high school highlights seamlessly blended into WVU’s offensive schemes.
“It was like watching the future,” said one source.
WVU now boasts its most high-profile recruit in decades. Recruiting experts are already calling it the biggest recruiting flip in school history — and possibly the most shocking commitment change in the NIL era.
Malachi Carter, who has drawn comparisons to a young Cam Newton, threw for over 3,900 yards and rushed for 1,200 more as a junior. He’s widely expected to compete for a starting role as a freshman.
“This isn’t just a commitment,” said ESPN’s Tom Luginbill. “This is a statement. West Virginia just punched above its weight — and won.”
In Morgantown, the news set off spontaneous celebrations. Videos show students flooding High Street in the early hours, chanting “Let’s Go Carter!” and lighting up the night with gold-and-blue flares.
As the dust settles, one thing is certain — West Virginia isn’t just hoping for national respect anymore. With Malachi Carter in gold and blue, they’re demanding it.
