Breaking News: 5-Star QB Stuns College Football World by Rejecting $88.1 Million NIL Deal, Decommits from Texas Longhorns and Commits to Clemson Tigers Over Powerhouse Alabama and Ohio State
In a move that has rocked the college football landscape, 5-star quarterback phenom Jaden Ricks has decommitted from the University of Texas and flipped his commitment to Clemson University—despite reportedly turning down a staggering $88.1 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offer. The announcement, made on social media Thursday afternoon, immediately sent shockwaves through recruiting circles, as the top-ranked quarterback in the 2025 class chose culture and fit over riches and prestige.
Ricks, a 6-foot-4 dual-threat quarterback out of California, had been committed to the Texas Longhorns since late 2023 and was expected to become the centerpiece of their offense for years to come. However, in a stunning twist, the highly touted prospect said his heart ultimately led him elsewhere.
“I’ve made one of the toughest decisions of my life, but I believe it’s the right one,” Ricks wrote in a statement. “While I have the utmost respect for Coach Sarkisian and the Longhorns, I’ve decided to decommit and take my talents to Clemson University. Coach Swinney and his staff have shown me nothing but belief in who I am—not just as a quarterback, but as a young man.”
Sources close to Ricks’ camp confirmed that the $88.1 million NIL offer came from a Texas-aligned collective, structured over several years and reportedly included partnerships with national brands, a personal marketing team, and guaranteed real estate investments. Despite that eye-popping figure, Ricks declined the offer, citing a desire to develop in a program with a proven track record of producing NFL-ready quarterbacks in a “family-first” environment.
“I’m not chasing money—I’m chasing legacy,” Ricks told ESPN in an exclusive interview. “Clemson feels like home. Coach Swinney was honest, direct, and most importantly, consistent throughout my recruitment. That mattered more than anything.”
Clemson, who has been relatively quiet on the recruiting front in recent years compared to SEC powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia, scored a monumental victory by landing Ricks. The commitment immediately propelled Clemson’s 2025 recruiting class into the national top five and reignited belief that the Tigers are back in national championship contention.
Notably, Ricks also spurned late pushes from Alabama and Ohio State, both of whom were in his final four. According to reports, Alabama had hoped to secure a weekend visit to Tuscaloosa, but Ricks canceled at the last minute, signaling Clemson’s grip on his recruitment was too strong to break.
Texas fans, meanwhile, are reeling from the sudden decommitment, especially after believing they had locked in their quarterback of the future. The Longhorns are expected to pursue other top quarterback prospects but will have a tough time replacing Ricks’ elite combination of arm strength, accuracy, and poise under pressure.
As college football continues to evolve under the NIL era, Ricks’ decision stands out as a powerful statement: not every recruit is swayed by financial incentives alone. Sometimes, belief, trust, and development win out over dollar signs.
Clemson fans are already calling it the “Flip of the Decade.”
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