5-Star QB Stuns College Football World by Rejecting $8.7 Million, Decommits from Texas Longhorns, and Flips to Indiana Hoosiers Over Alabama and Georgia
In a jaw-dropping move that has sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, five-star quarterback Jaxon Carmichael has decommitted from the Texas Longhorns and announced his commitment to the Indiana Hoosiers—rejecting a reported $8.7 million in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals and turning down powerhouse programs like Alabama and Georgia in the process.
Carmichael, ranked as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 class, had been a verbal commit to Texas since late 2023. He was widely considered a cornerstone for the Longhorns’ future offense. However, in a surprise announcement on social media Tuesday night, Carmichael revealed he was flipping to Indiana, a program not typically known for landing elite recruits, especially over SEC giants.
“I’ve made this decision based on where I feel I can grow the most—not just as a player, but as a person,” Carmichael posted. “The coaching staff at Indiana believes in me, and I believe in them. This isn’t about money. It’s about building something special.”
Sources close to Carmichael confirm that the quarterback turned down massive NIL offers, including one reportedly valued at $8.7 million from a Texas-based collective. Alabama and Georgia also made late pushes with both competitive NIL packages and promises of national championship exposure. Still, Carmichael chose Indiana, citing the opportunity for immediate impact and a deep connection with the coaching staff.
“Jaxon is a culture-changer,” said Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, who took over the program in late 2023. “He’s the type of player who doesn’t just want to join a winning team—he wants to build one.”
The decision is being hailed as one of the most unconventional and bold in recent recruiting history. It’s not every day that a top-tier quarterback turns down generational wealth and national title contenders to join a Big Ten team that has struggled to stay competitive.
“This is monumental for Indiana football,” said recruiting analyst Corey Williams. “It gives them instant credibility on the recruiting trail. But more importantly, it shows that not every top recruit is chasing money or rings—some are chasing legacy.”
Carmichael’s decision comes at a time when NIL has redefined college athletics. Yet his move underscores that, for some athletes, priorities like development, trust, and the chance to lead can outweigh even the biggest dollar signs.
Indiana fans are already dreaming big—with Carmichael under center, the future just got a whole lot brighter in Bloomington.