BREAKING: Texas Tech’s Skyler Gill-Howard Rejects $7.7M Tennessee NIL Offer, Refuses Tampering Move

 

In a stunning show of loyalty and integrity, Texas Tech football star Skyler Gill-Howard has rejected a jaw-dropping $7.7 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offer from the University of Tennessee. The move, which would have more than doubled his current NIL earnings, has ignited national conversation about tampering, the influence of money in college athletics, and the true meaning of team commitment.

 

According to sources close to the situation, the offer was presented with the clear intent of luring Gill-Howard away from Lubbock ahead of the upcoming season. The star linebacker—widely considered one of the top defensive players in the country—has reportedly been courted by several programs during the offseason, but the Tennessee proposal marked the most aggressive and lucrative attempt.

 

Rather than entertain the offer or test the waters, Gill-Howard responded swiftly and publicly, calling the move “a blatant example of tampering” and stating unequivocally that his loyalty lies with Texas Tech.

 

“I didn’t come to Texas Tech to chase checks or flip teams when the price is right,” Gill-Howard said in a statement released on Friday. “I came here to build something, to grow with my teammates, and to finish what we started. Money doesn’t define my legacy—character does.”

 

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior has become a cornerstone of the Red Raiders’ defense and a fan favorite for his hard-nosed playing style and vocal leadership. Last season, he led the Big 12 in tackles for loss and was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. His decision to return, despite interest from both other programs and the NFL, was already seen as a major win for head coach Joey McGuire and the Texas Tech program. This latest development only reinforces Gill-Howard’s reputation as a team-first leader.

 

The $7.7 million offer from Tennessee, which sources say included guaranteed endorsement deals, a luxury vehicle, and a private housing arrangement, has now raised serious questions about the enforcement of NCAA NIL guidelines and the potential for behind-the-scenes manipulation.

 

Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt addressed the situation Friday afternoon, stating, “We’re proud of Skyler not just for the way he plays, but for who he is. Tampering undermines the spirit of college athletics, and we believe the NCAA needs to take a closer look at what’s happening across the landscape.”

 

The NCAA has issued statements in the past warning against tampering—defined as the unauthorized recruitment of athletes already under scholarship at other programs—but enforcement has remained spotty in the rapidly evolving NIL era.

 

For Texas Tech fans, Gill-Howard’s decision is not just a personal victory but a symbol of something larger: the possibility that loyalty and pride still matter in college sports.

 

With the Red Raiders poised for a strong season and Gill-Howard leading the defensive unit, expectations in Lubbock are soaring. And now, with one of their biggest stars turning down millions to stay, the entire program has received a jolt of momentum heading into the summer.

 

As for Gill-Howard, his eyes are firmly set on the field.

 

“My focus is here,” he said. “My heart is here. Let’s go win something.”