Breaking: A five-star recruit surprises the college football world by turning down a $6.7 million offer, decommiting from the Mountaineer, and choosing Tennessee over the Georgia Bulldogs and Notre Dame.

In one of the most jaw-dropping twists of the 2025 college football recruiting cycle, five-star wide receiver Tyren “Jet” Malone sent shockwaves through the sport by turning down a staggering $6.7 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal, decommitting from West Virginia, and pledging his future to the Tennessee Volunteers. The decision comes just days after reports surfaced that Malone was a lock for Georgia or Notre Dame after his surprising Mountaineer exit.

Instead, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound speedster from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, announced his commitment to Tennessee in a social media video that featured him walking through Neyland Stadium at sunset, sporting a crisp orange and white jersey, and stating, “This is where I’m meant to be.”

Malone’s commitment to Tennessee wasn’t just about football. It was about legacy. In an era dominated by NIL deals dictating recruiting trends and team-building strategies, Malone’s decision to walk away from one of the largest reported offers in the NIL space made headlines instantly. The $6.7 million package was reportedly presented to Malone through a West Virginia collective in coordination with a national brand interested in locking in one of the country’s fastest-rising stars.

Yet sources close to Malone say the money didn’t matter as much as the mission.

“He could’ve been a millionaire tomorrow,” said Malone’s high school coach, Antonio Griggs. “But he told me, ‘Coach, I want to be great. Not just rich—great.’ That’s rare. That’s leadership. That’s old school.”

Tennessee’s successful recruitment of Malone is a massive win for head coach Josh Heupel, who has now landed three five-star recruits in the 2025 class. But this one carries more significance than any other, not only because of Malone’s elite talent but because of what he represents: the future of college football bucking the status quo.

According to insiders familiar with Malone’s recruitment, Tennessee sealed the deal during an unofficial visit in early April. Wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope reportedly connected with Malone on a personal level, breaking down film and showing how the Vols’ high-octane offense would feature him as a true freshman.

“Coach Pope didn’t sell me dreams,” Malone said in an exclusive interview with The Athletic. “He showed me my mistakes on film, talked about what I need to improve, and then showed how Tennessee could develop me into an NFL receiver. He talked to me like a future pro, not just a high school kid.”

Malone was also swayed by Tennessee’s quarterback situation. With five-star quarterback commitment Jaylen Lewis also on board for 2025, the two struck a bond during a campus event. “We’re gonna light up the SEC,” Lewis said in a repost of Malone’s commitment video.

When Malone first committed to West Virginia in November 2024, it stunned many in the recruiting industry. While the Mountaineers had been aggressively expanding their NIL profile, few believed they could lock in a player of Malone’s caliber. But the coaching staff at WVU made a personal investment in him, and Malone reportedly felt “wanted and trusted.”

However, things began to unravel after West Virginia’s 2024 season ended with a 6–7 record and another middling Big 12 bowl appearance. Rumors swirled about offensive coordinator Chad Scott receiving interest from Power Five schools, and questions about head coach Neal Brown’s long-term future cast a shadow over the program’s direction.

“It just didn’t feel stable anymore,” Malone told On3 Sports. “I needed a place I could grow for three years, not worry about coaching changes every season.”

Despite West Virginia’s attempts to salvage the commitment with a record-setting NIL pitch and last-ditch visit from school officials, Malone made up his mind.

Georgia and Notre Dame were each considered frontrunners in the days following Malone’s West Virginia exit. Georgia, with its perennial College Football Playoff contention, and Notre Dame, fresh off a New Year’s Six bowl win, each rolled out the red carpet.

At Georgia, Malone met with Kirby Smart, had one-on-one meetings with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, and was paired during his visit with wideout phenom Nyland Green to discuss the Bulldog system. Sources say Georgia was prepared to match West Virginia’s NIL numbers with a more structured, NFL-style approach.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, leaned into its tradition and academic excellence. Head coach Marcus Freeman reportedly spent extensive time on Zoom calls with Malone’s family, emphasizing life after football and spiritual development. Freeman believed he had built “a near-bulletproof relationship” with the Malone family.

Yet both programs ultimately fell short.

For Malone, the choice wasn’t about prestige or paycheck—it was about place. Tennessee’s blend of tradition, innovation, and fit won the day.

“He wanted to blaze his own trail,” said Malone’s father, Terrell, who played briefly in the CFL. “A lot of people wanted him to follow the path of others. But he’s not trying to be the next anybody—he’s trying to be the first Jet Malone.”

Malone’s decision mirrors a growing movement among elite recruits opting for fit over financials. In the last 18 months, multiple five-stars—particularly skill-position players—have walked away from larger NIL offers to pursue developmental opportunities in programs that fit their playing style and career vision.

Malone gives Tennessee its highest-rated wide receiver commit since Jalin Hyatt in 2020—and arguably the most explosive since Cordarrelle Patterson. A true game-breaking threat, Malone ran a verified 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the Under Armour Future 50 Camp and posted a 40.1-inch vertical. His combination of speed, fluidity, and ball skills drew comparisons to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jaylen Waddle from scouting analysts.

“He’s a touchdown waiting to happen,” said ESPN’s Tom Luginbill. “Tennessee just landed the kind of guy that can flip an entire SEC game in one play.”

Malone is expected to enroll early and participate in spring practices in 2026. If he lives up to the hype, he could immediately replace the void left by Bru McCoy and square off against top SEC cornerbacks in nationally televised matchups as a true freshman.

Malone’s shocking move drew reactions from across the college football world.

• Desmond Howard, ESPN: “This is a seismic shift. When a kid turns down nearly $7 million to follow his heart? That’s bigger than football.”
• Paul Finebaum, SEC Network: “Tennessee just landed the most important commitment of the Josh Heupel era. Period.”
• Kirk Herbstreit: “What’s fascinating is the ripple effect this could cause—other top guys may now look at Tennessee and say, ‘What do they know that I don’t?’”

West Virginia fans, meanwhile, reacted with shock and dismay. “He was supposed to be our guy,” one Mountaineer message board post read. “How do you lose someone with that kind of money on the table?”

For Tennessee, the recruitment of Tyren “Jet” Malone is not just a headline—it’s a statement. The Vols are no longer knocking on the door of college football’s elite; they’re stepping through it, boldly.

Josh Heupel’s offense has become a beacon for top-tier wide receivers looking to put up gaudy stats and reach the NFL quickly. With Malone in the fold, Heupel now has the firepower to challenge Georgia, Alabama, and Texas for SEC supremacy in the coming seasons.

For Malone, the path forward is clear. Develop. Dominate. Deliver.

“I’m not just trying to win games,” Malone said. “I’m trying to change the game.”

And with that mindset, he’s already doing exactly that.