ESPN BOMBSHELL: Nebraska QB Heinrich Haarberg SHOCKS the Nation—Turns Down $4.5M NIL Offer from Georgia to Replace Carson Beck!
In an era of high-dollar deals and rampant transfers, loyalty has become a relic—until now.
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through college football, Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg has reportedly turned down a staggering $4.5 million NIL offer from the University of Georgia to remain with the Cornhuskers. The offer, according to sources close to the situation, included a guaranteed starting spot, a seven-figure signing bonus, and a share in multiple national ad campaigns lined up through one of Georgia’s most powerful NIL collectives.
The move comes just months after Haarberg signed a $2.1 million NIL agreement with local and regional sponsors in Nebraska, including Runza, Union Bank & Trust, and a tech partnership with Omaha-based software firm AgVantage.
Georgia’s offer came after it became clear that Carson Beck, the Bulldogs’ starting QB and Heisman contender, would declare for the NFL Draft after the 2024 season. The Bulldogs, fresh off another College Football Playoff appearance, saw Haarberg as a perfect dual-threat replacement. At 6’5″, 215 pounds, with elite speed and a rocket arm, Haarberg’s upside has been undeniable since taking over the starting job midway through the 2023 season.
In 2024, Haarberg threw for 2,985 yards, ran for 813 more, and accounted for 29 total touchdowns—bringing Nebraska to an 8-4 finish and its first bowl win since 2015. His leadership under new head coach Matt Rhule has sparked a cultural resurgence in Lincoln.
Despite the massive payday Georgia laid on the table, Haarberg’s answer was simple: “I came here to build something. I’m not finished yet.”
According to insiders, Georgia offered Haarberg the deal in late May, after quiet backchannel communication through NIL intermediaries. By early June, the deal was real, written, and ready to go. But Haarberg never even visited Athens.
“He looked at it for maybe 48 hours,” one source within Nebraska’s football operations said. “He respected it, appreciated it—but in the end, he told us, ‘I’m not leaving my team. We started something. We’re going to finish it together.’”
In a college football landscape increasingly defined by dollar signs, Haarberg’s decision stands as a rare beacon of loyalty. Nebraska fans, already revitalized by the program’s turnaround, are now rallying behind their quarterback with newfound fervor. Social media exploded Tuesday morning with the hashtag #HaarbergLoyalty, trending nationwide by noon
Matt Rhule, speaking at a press conference, didn’t hold back. “Heinrich could’ve walked away a millionaire many times over,” Rhule said. “But he chose us. He chose Nebraska. That says everything about his character.”
While Georgia will now turn to other options in the portal—rumors point to Miami’s Jacurri Brown or USC’s Miller Moss—Haarberg remains locked in on bringing Nebraska back to national prominence.
With a preseason top-20 ranking and a returning offensive core, the Cornhuskers are poised for their most anticipated season in over a decade.
And leading the charge is a quarterback who just proved that in 2025, commitment still matters.
