Five-Star QB Shocks College Football World by Turning Down $7.3 Million, Decommits from Colorado, and Flips Commitment to Michigan Over Notre Dame and Florida State
In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves throughout the college football landscape, five-star quarterback phenom Jayden Rivers has decommitted from Colorado and flipped his commitment to the University of Michigan — turning down an estimated $7.3 million in name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals in the process. The decision stunned fans, coaches, and analysts alike, as Rivers had been heavily linked to high-profile programs including Notre Dame and Florida State.
Rivers, the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class and widely regarded as the top quarterback prospect in the nation, announced his decision on social media Tuesday morning with a simple message: “Maize and Blue — I’m home.”
His commitment caps off a whirlwind recruitment that has seen dramatic twists over the past few weeks. Just last month, Rivers made national headlines when he verbally committed to Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes, joining a star-studded class and appearing poised to be the centerpiece of Coach Prime’s ambitious rebuild. At the time, insiders cited the $7.3 million in NIL potential as one of the most lucrative ever offered to a high school recruit.
But in a move that many see as a rare example of long-term vision over short-term riches, Rivers shocked recruiters by walking away from the deal.
According to sources close to his family, Rivers felt increasingly uncomfortable with the intense media attention and commercial pressure surrounding his initial commitment.
“He just wanted to focus on football,” said one source familiar with the decision. “He’s thinking about development, legacy, and winning — not just dollar signs.”
Notre Dame and Florida State had emerged as serious contenders in the wake of his Colorado decommitment, with both schools rolling out high-profile recruiting pitches and aggressive NIL packages. In the end, however, it was Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore’s emphasis on player development, academics, and NFL preparation that won Rivers over.
Moore, who took over the Wolverines’ program after Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the NFL, has impressed recruits with his stability and vision for the future of Michigan football. Rivers reportedly connected with Michigan’s quarterback-friendly system and the staff’s track record of sending players to the next level.
“This is not just about the next four years — it’s about the next forty,” Rivers said in a statement released Tuesday. “Michigan feels like home. I trust the staff, I love the culture, and I believe this is where I’ll grow the most as a player and a man.”
The flip is a massive recruiting win for Michigan, who now secures a generational talent at the game’s most important position. It also delivers a crushing blow to Colorado, which had banked on Rivers as a foundational piece of its future.
Meanwhile, Florida State and Notre Dame fans are left wondering what might have been, as both programs had reportedly been in the mix until the final weekend before Rivers’ decision.
As the recruiting landscape continues to evolve in the NIL era, Rivers’ move will undoubtedly be studied and debated for years to come — not just for the football implications, but for the broader message it sends about priorities, pressure, and purpose in the modern college game.
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