Due to a strong academic fit and a new staff connection, the top player in the USA surprises college football by selecting Duke over Ohio State and Alabama.

In a move that has sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, the nation’s top-ranked high school player has decided to commit to Duke University, turning down powerhouse programs Ohio State and Alabama. This unexpected decision highlights the growing importance of academic fit and coaching relationships in the increasingly competitive world of college football recruiting.

The player in question, 5-star quarterback prospect Jason Matthews, had long been viewed as a near-lock for one of the blue-blood programs of college football. Matthews’ talent and poise on the field had drawn comparisons to NFL legends and made him a household name on recruiting boards across the country. But when it came time to make a decision, Matthews prioritized factors that went beyond the gridiron: academics and relationships.

For months, recruiting insiders and fans alike assumed that Matthews would end up at either Ohio State or Alabama—two schools with storied histories, dominant recent performances, and pipelines to the NFL. Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer had made him their top priority, visiting his high school multiple times and laying out elaborate visions of how he would fit into their respective offensive schemes.

Yet, after an official visit to Duke, the trajectory shifted dramatically. The visit highlighted not only Duke’s academic prestige—something that had always been on Matthews’ mind—but also the genuine connections he felt with the Blue Devils’ coaching staff. Sources close to the situation say that new offensive coordinator Marcus Bryant, a rising star in the coaching ranks, played a pivotal role in building a relationship that ultimately proved too strong to ignore.

Matthews has been vocal in the past about his passion for academics. He’s consistently maintained a 4.0 GPA and has spoken in interviews about his long-term aspirations beyond football. During his junior season, Matthews told Sports Illustrated that he hoped to “combine a championship-level football experience with an elite education.”

Duke, with its world-class academic reputation, offered him exactly that. While Ohio State and Alabama have top-tier academic programs in their own right, Duke’s status as one of the leading universities in the world made it stand out.

In a statement released after his commitment, Matthews explained:

“Football is incredibly important to me, but so is my education and future beyond the game. Duke has a culture that supports both, and I felt that from the first moment I set foot on campus.”

Equally important in Matthews’ decision was the relationship he built with Duke’s coaching staff, particularly offensive coordinator Marcus Bryant. Bryant, who joined Duke after a stint as the quarterbacks coach at a Big Ten school, has a reputation for player development and a knack for building genuine connections with recruits.

In conversations with Matthews and his family, Bryant laid out a vision for how he would tailor the Blue Devils’ offense around Matthews’ dual-threat skill set. More importantly, he made Matthews feel like more than just another recruit. Friends of the quarterback say that Bryant’s “open-door policy” and ability to communicate on a personal level made all the difference.

Bryant, for his part, has been vocal about how Matthews’ commitment will shape Duke’s offense moving forward:

“Jason is a once-in-a-generation talent. But what really sets him apart is his maturity and drive. He’s someone who’s going to lead not just on Saturdays, but in everything he does here.”

While it’s easy to focus on the end result, the path to landing Matthews was anything but straightforward. Ohio State and Alabama pulled out all the stops. Alabama, fresh off yet another playoff appearance, emphasized its NFL development pipeline. Ohio State, known for producing first-round quarterbacks, stressed the chance to follow in the footsteps of players like C.J. Stroud and Justin Fields.

Duke’s recruiting pitch, in contrast, focused less on NFL stats and more on what would happen over the next three to four years. Head coach Mike Elko, now in his fourth season at the helm, has been steadily building a culture of accountability and player development at Duke—a culture that resonated with Matthews.

Elko’s stability and vision for the program played a major role. In recent interviews, he has spoken about how Duke is ready to “take the next step” and compete for ACC titles. While Duke may not yet have the same national reputation as Alabama or Ohio State, it offered something different: a chance for Matthews to build a legacy at a school on the rise.

Matthews’ commitment is more than just a recruiting win for Duke—it’s a sign of a shifting landscape in college football recruiting. In an era where name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals have become a significant factor, and blue-blood programs still wield enormous influence, Matthews’ choice to prioritize academics and personal relationships is a refreshing change.

For years, the assumption has been that top prospects would flock to the same handful of programs. But as Matthews’ decision shows, there is room for other programs to compete—if they can offer the right mix of academics, culture, and opportunity.

Already, there is talk in recruiting circles about what this might mean for other highly-ranked recruits who value academics. Schools like Stanford, Northwestern, and Duke could see a bump in interest as players realize that they can get both a world-class education and a chance to play big-time football.

For Duke, landing a player of Matthews’ caliber is a clear sign that the program is on an upward trajectory. The Blue Devils have been building momentum in recent years, highlighted by bowl appearances and a steady improvement in recruiting rankings.

Matthews’ decision could accelerate that trajectory. His commitment has already sparked interest from other top prospects in the 2025 and 2026 classes. In an interview with 247Sports, 4-star wide receiver Darian Ellis—who is considering Duke—said:

“Seeing a player like Jason pick Duke makes you realize it’s not just about football. It’s about life after football, too.”

The ripple effect could be huge. If Matthews succeeds at Duke, it will give the Blue Devils a powerful recruiting tool moving forward—proof that elite players can thrive in Durham and that Duke can be a launching pad to the NFL.

The reactions to Matthews’ decision have been immediate and intense. National recruiting experts have called it one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 class.

ESPN’s Tom Luginbill tweeted:

“Wow. Didn’t see this one coming. Hats off to Duke’s staff—this is a monumental win.”

Meanwhile, Ohio State and Alabama fans have been left stunned. For programs that usually get their pick of the top players, losing out to Duke is a rare and bitter pill to swallow. But as one Alabama fan put it on a popular message board:

“You can’t fault the kid. He’s thinking long-term, and that’s admirable.”

One question that has lingered is how much NIL played into Matthews’ decision. While sources close to Matthews say that NIL offers were on the table from all three schools, the quarterback and his family ultimately chose Duke because of its academic and cultural fit.

This points to a larger trend in college football recruiting. While NIL is certainly important—especially for players at the top of the rankings—it’s not the only factor. For players like Matthews, who have strong academic and personal goals, the ability to find a supportive environment where they can grow as people is just as important.

With his decision made, Matthews is now turning his focus to his senior season of high school. He’s made it clear that he plans to enroll early at Duke, arriving on campus in January 2026 to get a head start on learning the playbook and building chemistry with his future teammates.

For Duke fans, the countdown has already begun. Matthews’ commitment has injected a surge of optimism and excitement into a program that has often lived in the shadow of its basketball counterpart. But as Matthews himself said in his commitment video:

“I’m ready to make my own mark. And I’m ready to do it at Duke.”

College football is constantly evolving, and Matthews’ decision is a reminder that the days of the same handful of schools dominating every top recruit are fading. There’s room for different paths—and for players who want to combine elite athletics with elite academics, schools like Duke offer a compelling option.

For Matthews, this decision was about more than just the next three or four years. It was about finding a place where he could thrive in every aspect of his life, from the classroom to the field to the community.

And for Duke, it’s a testament to the power of culture, vision, and genuine human connection—factors that, even in the modern world of NIL and mega-programs, still have the ability to shape the future of college football.