**🚨 BREAKING: 5-Star QB Shocks College Football World — Rejects \$88.1M NIL Deal, Decommits from Texas, Flips to Tennessee Over Alabama and Ohio State**
In a jaw-dropping move that has sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, 5-star quarterback phenom Jalen Ricks has decommitted from the University of Texas and announced his commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers — turning down a reported \$88.1 million NIL package in the process.
Ricks, widely regarded as the No. 1 dual-threat QB in the 2025 recruiting class, had long been linked to the Longhorns and was reportedly weighing massive NIL offers from powerhouse programs including Alabama and Ohio State. Sources close to the recruitment saga say the \$88.1M offer — the highest known NIL deal ever proposed to a high school athlete — came from a Texas-aligned collective.
Instead, Ricks stunned fans and analysts alike by choosing the Vols, citing “culture, coaching, and long-term development” as his reasons. “This isn’t just about the money,” Ricks said in a statement. “It’s about legacy, fit, and where I believe I can grow the most as a quarterback and a man.”
Tennessee, under head coach Josh Heupel, has surged in recent recruiting battles, but this victory marks a defining moment for the program. The flip is not only a recruiting win, but a symbolic shift in the NIL era — suggesting that not every top prospect will follow the money.
Texas, Alabama, and Ohio State fans are left reeling, while Vol Nation erupts in celebration over landing a potential program-changer. With this commitment, Tennessee’s 2025 class leaps into the national spotlight — and the stakes for this season just got a l
ot higher.