Breaking News: 5-Star QB Shocks Nation—Rejects $8.7M NIL Deal, Decommits from Texas Longhorns, Flips to Texas Tech Over Alabama, Georgia
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the world of college football, five-star quarterback phenom Jaxon Rutherford has stunned fans, analysts, and recruiting insiders alike by rejecting a jaw-dropping $8.7 million NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) offer, decommitting from the Texas Longhorns, and announcing his commitment to Texas Tech—over perennial powerhouses Alabama and Georgia.
The announcement came Thursday afternoon via a live-streamed video on Rutherford’s social media channels, where the nation’s No. 2 overall recruit revealed his decision while standing on the Jones AT&T Stadium field in Lubbock, Texas. With the Red Raiders’ logo behind him, Rutherford simply stated, “This is where I’m meant to be. I’m building something different.”
The move immediately lit up social media and college football forums, with many stunned by his willingness to turn down nearly nine million dollars and offers from two of the most dominant programs in college football history. Insiders close to the recruitment confirmed that both Alabama and Georgia had offered competitive NIL packages reportedly in the $7–9 million range. Texas, where Rutherford had been committed since last summer, had crafted a major marketing deal set to activate the moment he enrolled.
Yet Rutherford, a 6’4″, 215-pound dual-threat quarterback from Allen, Texas, chose a different path—one fueled not by money, but by legacy, loyalty, and long-term vision.
“This wasn’t about the biggest check,” said Rutherford’s father, Marcus, a former Texas Tech linebacker in the late 1990s. “It was about Jaxon being the face of a program, not just another name in the system. At Tech, he can be that.”
Jaxon echoed those sentiments during his announcement. “I’ve seen what happens when players chase the bag. I want to chase greatness. I want to build something that outlasts the hype.”
Rutherford’s decision is already being dubbed one of the most seismic recruiting flips in recent memory. Not only does it underscore the growing influence of non-traditional powers like Texas Tech in the NIL era, but it also highlights a rare scenario where a top-tier athlete chooses culture and opportunity over cash.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire, who has steadily rebuilt the Red Raiders into a competitive Big 12 contender, was reportedly pivotal in the recruitment. Known for his charisma and ability to connect with high school athletes, McGuire pitched Rutherford on being the cornerstone of a new era in Lubbock—a vision that clearly resonated.
Reactions have been swift and varied. Texas fans expressed heartbreak and disbelief on forums, while Texas Tech fans rejoiced in securing the program’s highest-ranked recruit ever. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit called the flip “unprecedented in this NIL age,” and added, “Rutherford just changed the conversation around what drives elite athletes.”
The ripple effects of the decision are likely to be felt for months. Recruiting analysts predict other recruits may now give Texas Tech a harder look, especially with Rutherford already organizing a summer 7-on-7 camp in Lubbock for elite prospects.
For now, Texas Tech celebrates a generational victory. In a time when money often talks loudest, Jaxon Rutherford just proved that sometimes, the heart speaks louder.
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