GREAT NEWS: Missouri Tigers Star WR Joshua Manning Stuns NCAA Football World, Rejects Jaw-Dropping $5.4 Million NIL Offer from Auburn, Kansas State to Remain with Missouri Tigers; After Bold Decision, Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz Promises Big Future
In a stunning development that has rocked the college football landscape, Missouri Tigers star wide receiver Joshua Manning has made a decision that few saw coming. Manning, one of the top young talents in the nation, has rejected a reported $5.4 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offer that was aggressively pursued by the Auburn Tigers and Kansas State Wildcats. Instead, the standout wideout is staying put with the Missouri Tigers, reaffirming his loyalty to the program that believed in him from the start.
Sources close to the situation reveal that Auburn’s offer would have made Manning one of the highest-paid players in college football. Kansas State also reportedly put together a highly competitive NIL package. Despite the lure of massive financial incentives, Manning prioritized loyalty, development, and his deep bond with his teammates and coaching staff over a quick payday.
“I came to Mizzou with a purpose,” Manning said in a statement released Friday afternoon. “I believe in what we’re building here. Money can’t buy the relationships, the growth, and the family we have in Columbia. I’m here to finish what we started.”
Manning’s decision was met with jubilation from Missouri fans and a powerful endorsement from Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz. During a press conference following the announcement, Drinkwitz made it clear that Manning’s future with the program would be nothing short of spectacular.
“Joshua Manning embodies everything we want a Missouri Tiger to be,” Drinkwitz said. “He’s a leader on and off the field, and by making this decision, he’s shown he’s not just playing for himself — he’s playing for Mizzou, for his brothers, and for something bigger than money. I promised Joshua that we will do everything in our power to make him the centerpiece of our offense, to develop him into a first-round NFL Draft pick, and to build a legacy here that no amount of money could ever buy.”
Manning’s commitment sends a clear message that Missouri’s culture is stronger than ever under Drinkwitz’s leadership. It also delivers a massive boost to the Tigers’ ambitions in the fiercely competitive SEC, where retaining elite talent is crucial.
As Joshua Manning looks ahead to the upcoming season, Tigers fans can expect him to play with even more passion, pride, and purpose — ready to prove that sometimes, loyalty and heart are still worth more than any dollar figure.