Unprecedented Rejection: Jaren Kanak, a tight end for the Oklahoma Sooners, turns down a huge $6.5 million NIL offer from USC, putting team loyalty ahead of money.

In an era defined by player movement, transfer portal chaos, and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals reshaping college athletics, Jaren Kanak has delivered one of the most shocking decisions in recent memory. The Oklahoma Sooners tight end recently turned down a staggering \$6.5 million NIL offer from USC — a move that has stunned the college football world and rekindled conversations about loyalty, tradition, and what it means to be a true teammate.

For a 21-year-old college athlete to walk away from that much money, particularly from a program as storied and well-funded as USC, is almost unheard of. Yet Kanak’s decision wasn’t driven by financial insecurity or the promise of Southern California glamour. It was about something deeper: commitment, culture, and the belief that Oklahoma football represents more than just a stepping stone to the NFL.

According to multiple sources close to both programs, the Trojans’ offer was one of the most aggressive in NIL history. Facilitated through a conglomerate of USC-aligned collectives and private backers, the deal reportedly included not only the \$6.5 million over two years but also guaranteed brand endorsements with apparel and beverage companies, housing near the beach in Los Angeles, and even a luxury vehicle lease.

“It’s not just a bag. It’s a Brinks truck,” said one Power Five assistant coach familiar with the negotiation. “And he turned it down without hesitation. That tells you everything about the kid.”

The NIL landscape has dramatically shifted since the NCAA opened the doors in 2021. Star players, especially quarterbacks and skill-position athletes, have fetched seven-figure deals simply for committing to high-profile programs. Tight ends, while valuable, rarely command that kind of market power — unless they’re unique talents like Kanak.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 235 pounds, Kanak is a matchup nightmare. He’s fast enough to outrun linebackers, physical enough to bury safeties in run blocking, and possesses soft hands that allow him to be a consistent third-down target. With 42 catches for 611 yards and 7 touchdowns last season, he was expected to become a national breakout star in 2025. Apparently, USC wanted to ensure he did it in cardinal and gold.

In an exclusive interview with *SoonerNation*, Kanak laid bare the values behind his decision.

“Money can’t buy what we’re building here,” he said. “Coach \[Brent] Venables believed in me from day one. My teammates are my brothers. I didn’t come to OU to rent the jersey. I came to honor it.”

Kanak was recruited to Oklahoma as a linebacker but transitioned to tight end after the coaching staff saw his raw athleticism and work ethic. That versatility, along with his unselfish approach to learning a new position, quickly earned him the respect of the locker room.

“Jaren’s one of the hardest workers on this team,” said Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold. “He’s the kind of guy who makes everyone around him better. Seeing him turn down that kind of money just confirms what we already knew — he’s here for the right reasons.”

Much of the credit for Kanak’s loyalty goes to Brent Venables, who has quietly turned Oklahoma into one of the nation’s most unified locker rooms. While other programs wrestle with player departures and NIL envy, the Sooners have cultivated a culture rooted in identity, purpose, and long-term investment.

“We don’t recruit mercenaries,” Venables said when asked about Kanak’s decision. “We want men who bleed crimson and cream. Jaren Kanak is that guy. He understands legacy, and he’s creating one of his own.”

Venables’ hard-nosed, values-driven style is paying dividends in the NIL era. While some coaches scramble to match booster demands and external offers, Venables has consistently emphasized development over dollars.

“There’s nothing wrong with getting paid — we want our guys to benefit from their hard work,” Venables clarified. “But there’s a difference between playing for the brand and playing for the paycheck. We’re here to build men who chase greatness, not just money.”

The reaction in the locker room has been overwhelmingly supportive. Several players have taken to social media to voice their admiration, including wide receiver Jayden Gibson.

“Real one. That’s how legends are made,” Gibson tweeted, referencing Kanak’s loyalty.

Sophomore offensive lineman Cayden Green chimed in, calling Kanak’s move “the most team-first thing I’ve seen in this game since high school.”

Kanak’s decision seems to have galvanized the entire roster. According to strength and conditioning coaches, offseason workouts have taken on a new level of intensity.

“It’s like the guys are feeding off each other,” said one assistant. “There’s a renewed sense of pride and urgency. They want to win for each other.”

While many in the media have celebrated Kanak’s stance, others have questioned the long-term wisdom of turning down such a lucrative offer.

“This isn’t the 1990s,” ESPN analyst Trevor Matich said on a recent *College Football Live* segment. “This is a business now. That kind of money can change your life — and your family’s life.”

Yet Kanak isn’t blind to the opportunity cost.

“I’m not naive,” he admitted. “\$6.5 million is a lot. But I believe if I keep doing what I’m doing, the NFL will come. The money will come. But your word? That’s something you only give once.”

Indeed, Kanak’s NFL stock is trending sharply upward. Early 2026 mock drafts have him projected as a late first- or early second-round pick, with some scouts likening him to a more versatile version of George Kittle.

“He’s got the frame, the motor, and the mentality,” said one AFC scout. “There’s no ego, just grind. That’s gold in our league.”

Oklahoma fans, already among the most passionate in college football, have taken Kanak’s loyalty personally — in the best way. Murals are already being planned around Norman, and “KANAK 88” jerseys have sold out online.

The Sooner Club even launched a limited-edition “Loyalty > Everything” merchandise campaign, with proceeds benefitting a new scholarship fund for walk-ons. The campaign was inspired by — and approved by — Kanak, who declined any cut of the profits.

“I want this to benefit guys who don’t get offers like I did,” he said. “Let’s take care of the whole family.”

Kanak’s decision may ripple far beyond Norman. With NIL collectives dominating recruiting headlines, the idea that a player would spurn a life-changing payday to remain with his team is as rare as it is inspiring.

“This might be the turning point,” said former Oklahoma All-American Gerald McCoy. “We’ve all talked about culture over cash. Kanak *lived it.* That’s legacy.”

Even some USC fans — notorious for their win-at-all-costs expectations — have expressed admiration.

“Wish he was a Trojan,” one Reddit user wrote. “But you’ve gotta respect it.”

With the season approaching, all eyes will be on Kanak and the Sooners. Oklahoma enters 2025 with College Football Playoff aspirations, returning a loaded roster and a rising star quarterback in Arnold.

Kanak is expected to be a centerpiece of the offense — not just a security blanket, but a bona fide playmaker capable of flipping games.

“He’s going to be a monster,” said Sooners OC Seth Littrell. “And now he’s motivated by more than stats or scouts. He’s playing for legacy.”

As for the NFL?

“I’ll get there,” Kanak said, smiling. “And when I do, I’ll know I did it my way — with my brothers, at my school, on my terms.”

In a sport increasingly dominated by contracts, branding, and transactions, Jaren Kanak has reminded everyone — coaches, fans, and fellow athletes — that loyalty still matters. That belief in a program, a coach, and a cause can outweigh even the biggest offers.

It may not be the most conventional move. But in the heart of Sooner Nation, it’s the kind that legends are made of.