BREAKING NEWS: 5-STAR QB SHOCKS COLLEGE FOOTBALL WORLD — REJECTS $8.7 MILLION NIL DEAL, DECOMMITS FROM TEXAS LONGHORNS AND COMMITS TO TEXAS TECH OVER ALABAMA, GEORGIA
In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, 5-star quarterback phenom Jalen Reese has decommitted from the Texas Longhorns and announced his commitment to Texas Tech — turning down a reported $8.7 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offer in the process.
Reese, widely considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 class, was previously a verbal commit to the University of Texas. Many analysts expected him to remain loyal to the Longhorns, especially with the school’s recent recruiting momentum and move to the SEC. But in a shocking twist, Reese announced via social media on Friday evening that he would instead be heading to Lubbock to play for the Red Raiders.
“It’s not about the money. It’s about legacy, fit, and faith in a vision,” Reese said in a statement. “Coach McGuire and his staff made me believe I could build something special at Texas Tech — not just follow a path, but create one.”
Reese’s decision came just days after he reportedly declined an NIL package worth $8.7 million, offered through a collective tied to the University of Texas. The lucrative deal would have made him one of the highest-paid high school recruits in the NIL era.
Adding to the shock, sources confirmed that powerhouse programs Alabama and Georgia made late pushes to flip Reese following his decommitment from Texas. Instead, he chose to commit to a program with less prestige but one that he says “matches his grit and underdog mentality.”
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire celebrated the announcement with a bold tweet: “This ain’t your average commit. It’s the start of a revolution. Guns Up.”
Reese’s commitment is a massive win for Texas Tech, who now finds itself with a top-tier talent that could redefine the trajectory of the program. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback is known for his elite arm strength, poise under pressure, and dual-threat capabilities. He threw for over 4,000 yards and 42 touchdowns as a junior, adding 800 yards rushing.
Analysts are already calling Reese’s decision one of the most surprising and impactful recruiting moves in recent memory. In the new NIL-driven landscape of college football, his rejection of a multi-million dollar deal to play for a less prominent program may signal a shift in priorities among top recruits.
College football fans will be watching closely as this story continues to unfold.