Breaking News: Five-Star QB Shocks College Football World, Turns Down $6.3 Million and Flips to West Virginia
In a move sending shockwaves through the college football landscape, five-star quarterback phenom Jalen Ricks has stunned fans, coaches, and analysts alike by decommitting from Penn State and committing to West Virginia University, turning down reported NIL deals worth $6.3 million from powerhouse programs including Notre Dame and Florida State.
Ricks, ranked the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2025 class and the top dual-threat quarterback, had long been seen as a cornerstone of James Franklin’s future plans at Penn State. His commitment last summer was celebrated with the usual fanfare — ESPN specials, social media blitzes, and projections of a Big Ten title run led by the Georgia-native prodigy. But over the weekend, everything changed.
“This decision isn’t about money. It’s about legacy and belief,” Ricks said during a surprise Monday press conference at his high school in Marietta, Georgia. “West Virginia made me feel like more than a brand. They made me feel like a quarterback, a leader, and a future champion.”
Ricks’ decision comes just weeks after reports surfaced that Notre Dame had offered him a record-setting NIL package through Irish Boulevard Collective, believed to be upwards of $3.2 million over three years, with additional marketing opportunities. Florida State wasn’t far behind, reportedly sweetening their pitch with a multi-year NIL deal plus guaranteed endorsements with local Florida brands.
But it was West Virginia — under second-year head coach Marcus Glenn, a former Mountaineer quarterback himself — that made the deepest impression. Glenn’s revamped offense, now blending NFL-style reads with high-tempo RPOs, was reportedly tailor-made for Ricks’ skillset. Sources close to the recruitment say the two shared a “coach-player bond that felt more like family than business.”
In turning down the NIL money, Ricks sets a rare modern precedent in a college landscape increasingly driven by financial opportunity. One high-ranking ACC recruiter, speaking anonymously, admitted, “This is the first time in two years we’ve lost a top recruit and couldn’t point to money as the reason.”
Ricks’ flip is expected to elevate West Virginia’s 2025 class into the top 10 nationally, a historic benchmark for the program. The Mountaineers haven’t landed a five-star QB since Geno Smith’s four-star commitment in 2009. Fan reactions in Morgantown were euphoric. Within hours of the announcement, “Country Roads” was blasting from car stereos across town, and the Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium was flooded with students celebrating.
Meanwhile, Penn State fans were left reeling. Coach Franklin released a terse statement: “We wish Jalen the best. We’re proud of the culture we’ve built and will continue to pursue excellence in every position group.”
For now, Jalen Ricks’ bold move signals more than just a recruiting upset. It’s a seismic reminder that, even in the NIL era, some players still prioritize fit, family, and football — and for West Virginia, it could mark the dawn of a new golden age.
