The college football world is shocked when the five-star quarterback declines $6.7 million, decommits from Colorado, and switches his commitment to the LSU Tigers from Notre Dame and Florida State Seminole.
In a move that has sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, five-star quarterback Jalen Ricks, the No. 1 signal-caller in the 2025 class, has decommitted from Colorado after reportedly turning down a staggering $6.7 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offer. Even more astonishing, Ricks has committed to play for the LSU Tigers, flipping from a long-standing verbal commitment to the Buffaloes and passing over blueblood programs Notre Dame and Florida State in the process.
The ripple effects of his decision are already reshaping recruiting boards and power rankings across the country. In an era dominated by NIL deals, high-stakes recruiting battles, and shifting loyalties, Ricks’ choice is more than just a headline—it’s a statement.
Jalen Ricks has been a household name since his sophomore year at St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California. Towering at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds with a rocket arm and uncanny poise under pressure, he drew comparisons to Trevor Lawrence and Caleb Williams before even playing a varsity snap. Over the past two seasons, he’s thrown for more than 7,500 yards and 82 touchdowns, leading his team to back-to-back state championships.
His recruitment quickly escalated into a national spectacle. Colorado, led by head coach Deion Sanders, was the early frontrunner and eventually secured his commitment in late 2024 with what many believed to be an ironclad verbal. Notre Dame and Florida State remained in the picture, but Ricks made repeated public declarations about his belief in Coach Prime’s vision and Colorado’s resurgence.
Until he didn’t.
According to multiple sources, Colorado’s NIL collective had prepared a record-setting package for Ricks: $6.7 million over three years, with a majority of the funds front-loaded and tied to endorsement deals, brand campaigns, and national media opportunities.
That figure would have placed him among the top NIL earners in all of college football—and, by some reports, in the top 5 across all NCAA athletes.
Yet, Ricks walked away.
“I didn’t come here to get paid. I came to win championships, play against the best, and prepare myself for the NFL,” Ricks told ESPN on Thursday morning. “Money’s cool. But legacy? That’s forever. And I want to build mine in Baton Rouge.”
It’s a message that feels like it’s from another era—when kids dreamed of Saturdays in Death Valley and national titles, not brand deals and influencer partnerships. And that’s part of why this decision has stunned fans and analysts alike.
So why LSU?
According to insiders, the decision was about more than just football. It was about timing, fit, and a long-term vision.
The Tigers, under head coach Brian Kelly, have been building something formidable. After back-to-back top-10 finishes and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, the momentum is undeniable. LSU returns an elite offensive line, a reloaded wide receiver room, and a quarterback-friendly scheme designed to prepare players for the next level.
“Coach Kelly and his staff laid out a vision that was all about development, leadership, and NFL readiness,” said Ricks. “And when I visited, it felt like family. It felt like home.”
Sources close to the program say the LSU staff had been quietly in contact with Ricks for months, maintaining a relationship even after his Colorado commitment. The moment Ricks began to question his decision, LSU pounced.
And with LSU’s current quarterback, Garrett
