5-Star QB Stuns College Football World with Shocking Decommitment from Colorado Flips Commitment to Oklahoma sooner Over Powerhouses Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia Bulldogs…

In a seismic jolt to the 2025 college football recruiting landscape, five-star quarterback phenom Malachi Nelson Jr.—a top-10 overall national recruit—has officially decommitted from the University of Colorado and announced his stunning flip to the Oklahoma Sooners, bypassing powerhouse programs like Alabama, Tennessee, and the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs.

The decision, which unfolded in dramatic fashion on social media with a brief but electrifying video post, sent shockwaves throughout college football. It’s not just the switch that’s making headlines—it’s who he left and where he’s going. Nelson Jr. was considered the crown jewel of Deion Sanders’ 2025 class at Colorado, a program that had been riding a wave of hype and attention under Coach Prime’s high-profile leadership.

But now, Oklahoma’s quarterback room is suddenly a lot more crowded—and far more dangerous.

A Decommitment Heard Around the Country

Nelson Jr., a 6-foot-3, 210-pound dual-threat quarterback from Long Beach, California, had long been linked with Coach Prime and the “Prime Time” culture at Colorado. When he committed in July 2024, it was hailed as the ultimate recruiting coup for a program trying to leapfrog into national title contention.

Colorado fans believed that with Nelson Jr. under center, they had their next Shedeur Sanders—and maybe even more. Ranked the No. 2 quarterback in the nation by 247Sports Composite and No. 6 overall prospect, Nelson Jr. is known for his rocket arm, field vision, and leadership acumen that scouts have compared to C.J. Stroud and Caleb Williams.

So, when he posted the words “Respect my decision” with a crimson and cream background and the interlocking OU logo, social media erupted. College football insiders had speculated he was having second thoughts, but few expected him to outright decommit and spurn schools like Georgia and Alabama in favor of Oklahoma.

Why Nelson Flipped: The Oklahoma Factor

Sources close to the recruitment say Oklahoma’s long-term quarterback development track record—under both Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby—played a pivotal role. The Sooners have a deep history of molding elite quarterbacks into Heisman contenders and NFL-caliber signal-callers, including Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts.

While Lebby departed after the 2024 season for a head coaching opportunity, new OC Seth Littrell has quickly built rapport with Nelson Jr., especially with his pro-style, quarterback-friendly system that puts mobility and arm strength on full display.

In a recent interview, Nelson Jr. cited Oklahoma’s “track record, tradition, and love for the quarterback position” as key reasons for his flip.

“I had a lot of love for Coach Prime, and that hasn’t changed,” Nelson Jr. said. “But at the end of the day, I have to make the best decision for my future. Oklahoma feels like home, and the system there is built for guys like me.”

Oklahoma’s Quarterback Room: Now a Juggernaut

With Nelson Jr.’s commitment, Oklahoma’s quarterback future is loaded. The Sooners already boast former blue-chip recruit Michael Hawkins Jr., and 2024 four-star QB Brayden Durham, who had been presumed the heir apparent. Nelson instantly becomes the centerpiece of Oklahoma’s 2025 recruiting class, which now moves into the top 5 nationally after his flip.

There will be intense competition in Norman, but that’s exactly the kind of environment Nelson Jr. seems to thrive in. “I’m not afraid of competition,” he said in his announcement video. “Iron sharpens iron. I’m coming to win.”

The Ripple Effect: What It Means for Colorado

For Coach Prime and Colorado, this is a gut-punch of epic proportions. Nelson Jr. was the highest-rated commitment in program history and a central piece to their 2025 offensive vision.

While Colorado still has impressive talent, including four-star WR Jared Scott and TE Elijah Whitlock, losing their offensive anchor is a major setback. This decommitment has now raised questions about Colorado’s ability to hold onto other top recruits in this cycle—especially as the Buffaloes finished a disappointing 6–6 last season and failed to earn a bowl invite.

The timing also stings. Just days before Nelson’s decommitment, Coach Prime told reporters: “We’re building something here that’s going to last. And Malachi is a huge part of that.”

Now, Sanders must either find a late-cycle replacement or roll the dice in the transfer portal again—a space he has navigated with mixed results so far.

What About Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee?

Sources indicate that Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee were all in hot pursuit of Nelson Jr. during his second round of consideration. Georgia, in particular, made a full-court press with QB coach Mike Bobo flying out to California twice in recent weeks.

Alabama, under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, also hosted Nelson Jr. for a private visit in April. Tennessee’s Josh Heupel, known for explosive offense and quarterback development, tried to sell Nelson on becoming the next Hendon Hooker-style legend in Knoxville.

But Nelson never even made it to his scheduled Georgia visit. After his Oklahoma trip last weekend, it was done.

Inside the Flip: Key Relationships

One of the major factors that emerged from Nelson’s camp was his connection to Oklahoma’s new receivers coach Jameel Roberts, who had been involved with Nelson since his freshman year of high school through various passing camps. That relationship, combined with Oklahoma’s dedication to surrounding him with elite pass-catchers—including five-star WR commit Devon Carroll—tipped the scales.

Additionally, Oklahoma’s NIL infrastructure, which has grown significantly since 2023, was described by insiders as “highly competitive.” While NIL was reportedly not the deciding factor, the ability for Nelson to build his brand in a stable, blue-blood market certainly helped.

Social Media Eruption: Fan and Recruit Reactions

Sooner Nation exploded with joy after the announcement. Star players like Jackson Arnold, Jovantae Barnes, and even former Sooners like Kyler Murray chimed in on X (formerly Twitter) to welcome Nelson Jr. to Norman.

“@MalachiJr — Welcome to greatness. Let’s get that natty ,” posted Kyler Murray.

Meanwhile, several of Colorado’s remaining commits expressed shock. Some recruits from Georgia and Tennessee also publicly acknowledged Nelson’s decision, sparking speculation about dominoes yet to fall in the 2025 cycle.

What’s Next for Nelson Jr. and Oklahoma?

Malachi Nelson Jr. is expected to enroll early at Oklahoma in January 2026, giving him a full offseason in Norman to battle for the starting job. The Sooners are set to enter a transitional period, with several offensive pieces graduating or going pro after the 2025 season.

That positions Nelson Jr. to become the face of the program as Oklahoma settles deeper into the SEC, a conference that continues to be the gold standard in college football. Brent Venables has been steadily elevating the Sooners into consistent contention, and now with a generational talent at quarterback, expectations will rise further.

Final Thoughts: The Power of the Flip

In today’s college football era, verbal commitments mean less than ever, especially for top-tier athletes with leverage, brand potential, and multiple suitors. But few flips carry the shock value of this one—especially involving the most talked-about program in America (Colorado) and a reborn SEC power (Oklahoma).

Nelson Jr.’s decommitment is not just a loss for Colorado—it’s a recalibration of college football’s balance of power. Oklahoma just reminded the world that it can still go toe-to-toe with the SEC giants and win.

As for Coach Prime, he now faces one of his biggest recruiting tests yet. Replacing Malachi Nelson Jr. won’t be easy—and the clock is ticking.

Recruit Profile: Malachi Nelson Jr.