Breaking News: 5-Star QB Stuns College Football World by Rejecting $8.7 Million, Decommits from Texas, Flips to Florida
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college football world, 5-star quarterback phenom Jalen Rivers has decommitted from the Texas Longhorns, turned down a staggering $8.7 million in NIL offers, and flipped his commitment to the Florida Gators — spurning perennial powerhouses Alabama and Georgia in the process.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound signal caller from Houston, Texas, is ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2025 class and had been committed to Texas for over a year. Long believed to be the Longhorns’ future franchise QB, Rivers was also heavily courted by Alabama and Georgia, both of whom were reportedly prepared to make lucrative NIL deals to secure his talents.
Sources close to the recruitment indicate that Texas boosters were prepared to match, and even exceed, the reported $8.7 million NIL package that was on the table. However, Rivers shocked coaches, fans, and analysts alike when he announced Monday evening that he would be heading to Gainesville instead.
“I appreciate everything Texas has done for me, but after a lot of prayer, family talks, and time spent thinking about what matters most, I’ve decided to commit to the University of Florida,” Rivers said in a video posted to social media. “This decision isn’t about money. It’s about where I feel I can grow the most — as a player and a person.”
Rivers’ announcement immediately set social media ablaze, with many fans praising his decision to prioritize fit and development over financial gain. Others speculated that Florida head coach Billy Napier and quarterbacks coach Ryan O’Hara made a strong late push with a clear vision for Rivers’ role in the Gators’ offense.
Florida, which has struggled to land elite quarterback talent in recent years, suddenly finds itself with a potential Heisman-caliber player on the way. The commitment is widely viewed as a turning point for the Gators’ recruiting momentum heading into the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, Texas fans and coaches are left scrambling. With Rivers out, the Longhorns must reevaluate their quarterback room and recruiting strategy, especially with Arch Manning’s future uncertain.
Alabama and Georgia, while disappointed, are still in the hunt for other elite QBs, but the unexpected Florida flip is being viewed as one of the most significant recruiting surprises in recent memory.
In an era increasingly defined by NIL deals, Jalen Rivers’ commitment to Florida is a rare statement — that sometimes, football still comes first.