Breaking News: 5-Star QB E.J. Warner, Son of NFL Legend, Commits to Wigan Warriors Over Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee
In a stunning and unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through both the college football and rugby communities, 5-star quarterback E.J. Warner, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, has announced his commitment to the Wigan Warriors — a professional rugby league club in England — bypassing offers from NCAA powerhouses Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.
Warner, widely regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 class, had been the subject of intense recruitment from the Southeastern Conference’s elite programs. With pinpoint accuracy, high football IQ, and proven leadership under pressure, he was expected to follow in his father’s legendary NFL footsteps. Instead, the 18-year-old has taken a route no one saw coming — trading touchdowns for tries and Saturday night lights for the roar of the DW Stadium in northern England.
“This isn’t just about football — it’s about carving my own path,” Warner said during a surprise press conference streamed live from Manchester. “I have the utmost respect for the college football world and the programs that recruited me. But I wanted something different. Rugby offers me a unique challenge, and the Warriors offered me a vision that goes beyond the game.”
The Wigan Warriors, one of the most storied franchises in rugby league history, are known for their dominant legacy in the Super League. While rugby and American football are vastly different sports, Wigan has expressed a long-term interest in cross-training athletes from different disciplines, and Warner’s physical tools and athleticism made him an ideal candidate for their experimental international player program.
“This is a game-changer — literally,” said Wigan’s head coach Matt Peet. “E.J. brings a level of athleticism, vision, and grit that we believe will translate incredibly well to our style of play. We’re thrilled to have him join the Wigan family and help redefine what’s possible between our sports.”
Social media exploded with reactions, ranging from admiration to outright disbelief. Former NFL and college players voiced support for Warner’s bold move, while others questioned whether the shift from quarterback to rugby fullback or fly-half is even viable.
Kurt Warner, the legendary Super Bowl-winning quarterback and E.J.’s father, publicly supported the decision. “This is his journey,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I didn’t raise him to follow footsteps — I raised him to chase purpose. Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it.”
The implications of Warner’s decision are monumental. Not only does it mark one of the first times a top-tier American football recruit has chosen a professional rugby league career overseas, but it also opens the door for future transatlantic athletic crossovers. Whether this is a one-off anomaly or the start of a new trend remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: E.J. Warner has already made history before stepping onto the field — or pitch.
Warner is expected to join the Warriors in early summer for training and could make his rugby league debut as early as this fall.
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