In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, five-star quarterback Jordan Ricks has decommitted from East Carolina and announced his new commitment to the University of Texas, rejecting a reported $7.5 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal in the process. The decision comes just weeks after Ricks had reaffirmed his pledge to ECU, where he had long been considered the crown jewel of their 2025 recruiting class.
Ricks, ranked as the No. 3 quarterback and the No. 9 overall prospect in the country by multiple recruiting services, made the surprise announcement via a short video posted to his social media channels on Wednesday morning. Dressed in burnt orange and standing at midfield of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound signal-caller smiled confidently before stating, “This is home. Hook ‘Em.”
While elite flips are nothing new in the world of high-stakes college football recruiting, this particular decision has reverberated louder than most due to the eye-popping amount of money Ricks reportedly turned down and the caliber of programs he chose Texas over. According to multiple sources close to the recruitment, both Notre Dame and Georgia were considered finalists in recent days, and representatives aligned with those programs had NIL collectives prepared to offer figures nearing—and in one case exceeding—$7.5 million over a three-year span.
“He’s the real deal,” one Power Five assistant coach told reporters following the announcement. “You don’t find a quarterback with this kind of poise, arm talent, and field vision very often. For him to say no to that kind of money and still go where his heart is? That’s rare.”
Ricks’ journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. Originally from Rock Hill, South Carolina, Ricks exploded onto the national scene during his junior season at South Pointe High, throwing for over 3,800 yards and 42 touchdowns while rushing for another 11 scores. A dual-threat weapon with an NFL-caliber arm and mature football IQ, Ricks had his pick of the litter early in the process. Yet in a stunning commitment last summer, he chose East Carolina, citing the opportunity to build something special at a program that had never landed a prospect of his stature.
“For me, it was always about loyalty and relationships,” Ricks said at the time. “ECU believed in me before everyone else did, and that meant something.”
That loyalty appeared strong—until it wasn’t.
According to insiders, the tides began to shift following his official visits this spring. What was supposed to be a casual trip to Austin turned into a turning point. Head coach Steve Sarkisian, now entering a pivotal year with the Longhorns, made Ricks the program’s top priority once it became clear that the quarterback might be open to change.
From private meetings with the offensive staff to an impromptu film session that reportedly left Ricks “awestruck,” Texas made an aggressive late push. Perhaps most importantly, they did it without overwhelming the young quarterback with talk of money.
“Texas made it about football first,” one source close to the family said. “They laid out a vision for his development, his growth as a leader, and how he’d fit in with what they’re building. That made the difference.”
Meanwhile, NIL offers from other suitors only grew more intense. Notre Dame made a strong academic and athletic case, and Georgia’s pitch centered around the opportunity to compete for national championships immediately. One booster from a major SEC program allegedly told a recruiting reporter off the record, “Whatever it takes to get him, we’ll find a way to make it happen.”
Still, Ricks remained focused on more than just the financial incentives.
In a written statement released later in the day, he explained his decision further: “The last few months have been overwhelming, and I want to thank every coach and program that believed in me. But at the end of the day, I had to follow my heart. Texas felt like family. Coach Sark sees me not just as a player but as a person. I believe in the vision, I believe in the culture, and I want to win in Austin.”
His parents, longtime educators with a strong sense of purpose, reportedly played a significant role in encouraging Ricks to consider the full picture beyond the NIL numbers. His father, James Ricks, commented briefly: “We taught Jordan to value integrity, commitment, and character. This decision reflects that.”
The timing of the announcement is significant. Just days before the summer workout window begins, Texas suddenly finds itself in possession of arguably the most impactful commitment in the 2025 cycle. Ricks now headlines a class that already included multiple blue-chip receivers and offensive linemen, signaling that the Longhorns are once again in position to reload at a premium position.
“This is the kind of move that can change the trajectory of a program,” a national recruiting analyst said Wednesday. “We saw what Arch Manning brought in terms of attention and expectations. Ricks is right there in that same tier—only with a little more readiness as a freshman. If he gets on campus and competes right away, the depth chart gets really interesting.”
Indeed, the quarterback room in Austin is suddenly a lot more crowded. The Longhorns are expected to return at least two highly touted signal-callers next season, including redshirt sophomore Trey Owens and junior Malik Murphy. The staff has maintained that the best player will play, but there’s no denying the excitement surrounding Ricks’ potential to push for early snaps.
At ECU, meanwhile, the mood is far less celebratory. Ricks’ departure marks a devastating blow to a program that had centered much of its future branding and recruiting messaging around his presence. Head coach Mike Houston, while not speaking directly about the decommitment, acknowledged the shifting landscape of college football in a Wednesday evening press conference.
“We’re in an era now where nothing is guaranteed until signing day,” Houston said. “We wish Jordan nothing but the best, and we’ll continue to recruit players who want to be here and help us build something special.”
Recruiting experts have long predicted a wild 2025 cycle, but even by those standards, this saga has stood out. The NIL era has introduced a new layer of complexity to already chaotic decisions, and the Ricks situation is likely to be studied for years to come as a case study in how relationships, culture, and development plans can still trump cold, hard cash.
Notably, this is not the first time Ricks has turned heads for prioritizing values over hype. He’s been described by coaches as humble, focused, and deeply committed to his teammates and community. Last season, despite national attention, he continued to tutor underclassmen at his high school and volunteered every Friday morning at a local youth center. His coaches often praised his discipline and willingness to work without ego.
“This young man is different,” said South Pointe head coach Deon Sanders—not to be confused with Coach Prime—who has mentored Ricks since the eighth grade. “He doesn’t get caught up in the noise. He’s about ball, family, and faith. Texas is getting not just a great quarterback, but a great human being.”
Now, as the dust settles on one of the most surprising and high-stakes commitments in recent memory, all eyes turn toward Austin and what the Longhorns will do next. With Ricks on board, Texas not only secures a game-changing talent but also sends a strong message to the rest of the country: the Longhorns are back, and they’re doing it on their terms.
As for Ricks, his message is simple and powerful.
“This isn’t just about football,” he said in a final message to fans. “It’s about being part of something bigger than myself. I’m ready to get to work. Let’s ride.”
