Breaking News: Provo, Utah — 5-Star QB Class of 2026 Stuns College Football World with $8.7M Decommitment from Texas, Flips to BYU Cougars
In a move that has sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, five-star quarterback phenom Jalen “Jet” Carter from Chandler, Arizona, has officially flipped his commitment from the University of Texas to Brigham Young University — spurning powerhouse offers from Alabama, Georgia, and a staggering reported $8.7 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) package.
Carter, widely regarded as the No. 1 quarterback in the class of 2026, made the announcement via a surprise livestream Sunday evening from his high school’s auditorium. Draped in BYU blue, with a silent crowd of stunned media, friends, and recruiters watching, Carter pulled a Cougars cap from under the table and declared, “I’m taking my talents to Provo. It’s bigger than money. It’s about mission, legacy, and faith.”
The decision immediately drew national attention, not only for the shocking rejection of Texas’s record-breaking NIL offer, but also for the quarterback’s unexpected pivot to a non-SEC school in BYU — a program respected for its tradition but often overshadowed in high-stakes recruiting battles. The Cougars, now in their third year as Big 12 members, had never landed a recruit ranked this high in the modern recruiting era.
Sources close to the Carter family suggest that the quarterback’s commitment was rooted in deeper values than athletic opportunity alone. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Carter reportedly formed a strong bond with BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and quarterbacks coach Aaron Roderick, both of whom emphasized spiritual alignment and long-term development over flashy promises.
Texas, who had pegged Carter as the heir apparent to Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, was “blindsided,” according to a Longhorns recruiting staffer. “We thought it was a done deal. You don’t walk away from nearly $9 million,” the source said, requesting anonymity.
Alabama and Georgia, both of whom had intensified their recruitment in recent weeks, are said to be “stunned but respectful” of Carter’s decision. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart reportedly made a personal visit just last Friday.
Carter, known for his cannon arm, elite decision-making, and 4.5-second 40-yard dash, threw for 3,912 yards and 42 touchdowns in his junior season. His commitment could reshape the trajectory of BYU football, both on and off the field.
“This isn’t just a win for BYU,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill. “It’s a philosophical shift. It proves that in an NIL-driven era, some athletes still make decisions based on faith, family, and fit.”
As the Cougars gear up for their 2026 campaign, fans across Cougar Nation are already dreaming big. And while the NIL era is far from over, Jalen Carter just reminded the football world that sometimes, belief is the biggest offer of all.
