Breaking News: A five-star quarterback shockingly decommits from East Carolina, turns down a ~$7.5 million offer, and flips his commitment to the Texas Longhorns over Notre Dame and the Georgia Bulldogs, sparking a national recruiting frenzy

In one of the most shocking recruiting developments in recent memory, Jalen Ricks, the nation’s No. 2 quarterback and consensus five-star prospect in the 2026 class, has flipped his commitment from East Carolina University to the Texas Longhorns, stunning fans, analysts, and coaches alike. The twist? Ricks turned down an NIL offer believed to be worth nearly $7.5 million from a competing powerhouse — and still chose Austin over blue-blood programs Notre Dame and Georgia.

The unexpected turn of events has set off a recruiting firestorm as major programs reevaluate their quarterback boards and NIL collectives scramble to understand how a program like Texas could land such a high-profile flip without matching the highest dollar figure on the table.

“This isn’t just a recruiting win. It’s a signal to the rest of the country that Texas is back in the business of dominating the quarterback market,” one Power Five coach said on condition of anonymity.

Ricks, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound dual-threat quarterback from Durham, North Carolina, originally committed to East Carolina in a surprise announcement during the fall of 2024. At the time, he cited loyalty, culture, and the desire to create a legacy at a smaller program as his primary reasons.

“I didn’t want to follow the same script,” Ricks said last year. “I want to blaze my own trail. ECU believed in me first.”

That commitment was hailed as a potential program-altering moment for the Pirates. Head coach Mike Houston, in his final season before stepping down, called Ricks “the most important recruit in school history.”

But as the 2025 offseason unfolded, whispers began to surface that national powerhouses weren’t giving up on Ricks. With coaching changes, shifting NIL markets, and multiple programs reevaluating their quarterback situations, momentum began to tilt.

Those whispers turned into full-on recruiting battles after Texas hired former NFL quarterback and rising coaching star Trent Wilkins as their new offensive coordinator. Wilkins had recruited Ricks previously while serving as the quarterbacks coach at Michigan and was quick to renew that relationship once he landed in Austin.

Despite flirtations from Notre Dame, Georgia, and an eye-popping NIL offer from a third-party collective tied to an unnamed SEC school, Ricks ultimately made the call to join Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns. He made it official Tuesday morning in a video shared to his social media, where he said:

“This decision isn’t about the money. It’s about the vision. It’s about development. It’s about championships. Texas is building something real, and I want to be the one who leads them to a national title.”

Sources close to Ricks confirmed that the NIL offer from another school approached $7.5 million over four years, a staggering amount that would’ve made Ricks one of the highest-paid amateur athletes in college sports history. Yet, Texas’ more modest but strategic NIL package — which included performance incentives, brand partnership deals, and long-term equity opportunities — won him over.

“It was never just about the biggest number,” said one member of Ricks’ inner circle. “Texas sold a plan for three years, the NFL, and long-term success. They weren’t flashy — they were focused.”

This is arguably the most significant recruiting victory for Texas since Arch Manning chose the Longhorns in 2022. With Manning now in the NFL, Ricks gives Texas a worthy heir to the quarterback throne and keeps the Longhorns firmly in the national championship conversation.

Coach Sarkisian, known for his quarterback development track record with names like Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young, now has another elite weapon in his arsenal. The addition of Ricks also comes at a crucial time, as Texas transitions fully into SEC competition.

“This is a legacy move,” Sarkisian said in a statement. “Jalen is not only one of the most talented players we’ve seen, but he’s also one of the most grounded. He made this decision for all the right reasons, and we’re honored to welcome him to the Forty Acres.”

Ricks’ commitment gives Texas its third five-star recruit in the 2026 cycle and propels the Longhorns’ recruiting class to No. 1 in the country, according to both 247Sports and On3.

The emotional toll on East Carolina is significant. The Pirates had built their future identity around Ricks, with several top regional recruits committing in hopes of playing alongside him. Now, those pledges may be in jeopardy.

New head coach Chris Foster, hired this past December to replace Mike Houston, issued a brief statement expressing disappointment:

“We appreciate Jalen’s time here and wish him the best. Our focus remains on building a strong team culture and finding the right young men to lead our program forward.”

Behind the scenes, however, the mood is one of devastation. Multiple sources inside the ECU program confirmed that Ricks had continued to recruit for the school as recently as three weeks ago. The news caught several of the coaching staff off guard, including those who had built personal relationships with the star quarterback’s family.

“We felt like we had a real chance to make history,” one ECU assistant said. “This one stings more than any other I’ve been part of.”

The Irish and the Bulldogs, two programs often in the thick of elite quarterback hunts, were both deep in the running until the final days. Notre Dame reportedly flew Ricks to South Bend for a final visit last weekend, while Georgia sent three coaches to Ricks’ spring game earlier this month.

“He was our No. 1 target,” said a source close to the Notre Dame program. “We thought the culture, academics, and NIL package would get it done. We’re regrouping.”

Georgia’s staff, led by offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and head coach Kirby Smart, had pitched Ricks on following in the footsteps of Carson Beck and playing in one of the most high-profile programs in the country. They were also believed to be a finalist until the final 24 hours.

The quarterback carousel in the 2026 class may now spin again, with programs like Georgia, Notre Dame, LSU, and Alabama likely to intensify efforts toward other five-star options like Troy West (California) and Malik Jefferson (Texas).

Though Ricks turned down the biggest NIL offer, money still played a factor in shaping how each school approached the recruitment. Texas’ strategy under the Clarkson Collective, its donor-driven NIL wing, focused on long-term branding, NFL preparation, and shared equity in regional businesses.

Instead of cash-heavy upfront deals, Ricks was offered a combination of incentives tied to performance benchmarks, national appearances, and leadership involvement in Texas’ community initiatives.

One NIL consultant who reviewed the packages on the table said:

“This is a turning point. It shows that athletes want more than just money. They want a pathway. Texas is building that. Other schools will have to evolve or fall behind.”