𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: 𝙉𝙤. 1 𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙌𝘽 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙁𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙏𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙨 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙢𝙖, 𝙈𝙞𝙖𝙢𝙞 & 𝙊𝙝𝙞𝙤 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚
In one of the most shocking twists of the college football recruiting cycle, the nation’s No. 1 ranked quarterback, Jalen Ricks, has officially decommitted from Alabama — and announced his commitment to Texas Tech.
“Yes. It’s real. No more visits. Texas Tech is home,” Ricks said in a statement posted to his social media accounts Monday morning. “This is where I belong. This is where my heart is. Guns Up!”
The 6-foot-4 phenom from Houston had long been expected to lead the next era of Alabama football. He had been heavily courted by Miami and Ohio State as well, taking official visits to all three powerhouse programs over the past year. Yet, despite national projections and multi-million-dollar NIL projections elsewhere, Ricks made it clear that something deeper pulled him west to Lubbock.
“I’m not chasing tradition. I’m building legacy,” Ricks added. “Coach McGuire believes in me, the whole staff does. Texas Tech feels like family. I’m not a number here — I’m the guy.”
The flip has sent shockwaves through college football, not only because of Ricks’ elite talent but because of who he turned down. Alabama, fresh off another College Football Playoff appearance, had been widely expected to lock up his commitment. Miami boosters had reportedly lined up a major NIL package, and Ohio State had cleared the way for Ricks to start as a true freshman.
Instead, Texas Tech — once considered a longshot — has landed arguably the most important commitment in program history. Ricks is ranked as a 5-star dual-threat quarterback and widely compared to former NFL MVP Cam Newton for his combination of size, arm talent, and leadership.
Insiders point to a recent, low-key visit to Lubbock as the turning point. “He stayed longer than planned. Loved the facilities. Connected with the players. The energy just hit different,” said a source close to his recruitment.
With Ricks now locked in, Texas Tech’s 2025 recruiting class leaps into the national top 5. Fans are already dreaming of national contention — and rivals are scrambling to reassess their quarterback plans.
For Texas Tech, this isn’t just a win — it’s a statement. College football has officially been put on notice: The Red Raiders are for real.
Leave a Reply