Five-Star QB Shocks College Football World by Turning Down $4.5 Million, Decommits from Rutgers, and Flips Commitment to Arizona State Over Notre Dame and Florida State
In a stunning twist that has sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, five-star quarterback phenom Jalen Whitmore has flipped his commitment from Rutgers University to Arizona State, choosing the Sun Devils over powerhouse programs Notre Dame and Florida State—despite reportedly turning down a jaw-dropping $4.5 million in NIL offers.
Whitmore, ranked as one of the top three quarterbacks in the 2025 class, had been a hard commit to Rutgers since last fall, pledging to help elevate the program under head coach Greg Schiano. With New Jersey roots and a strong relationship with the Scarlet Knights staff, his commitment appeared ironclad—until it wasn’t.
According to sources close to Whitmore’s camp, the quarterback was heavily pursued by multiple top-tier programs, each offering massive NIL deals in hopes of luring him away. Notre Dame reportedly presented a structured NIL plan worth up to $3.8 million, while Florida State’s collective was believed to offer north of $4.5 million.
Yet, in a move that defied the money-first trend in modern recruiting, Whitmore chose Arizona State, a program not traditionally considered a QB pipeline. His reasoning? Culture, opportunity, and trust.
“I’m betting on development and a place where I can be more than a brand—I can be a quarterback,” Whitmore said in a video posted to social media. “It’s not just about the money. I want to build something.”
This marks a massive win for Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, who has now landed back-to-back top-ten recruiting classes. Whitmore is expected to be the face of the program’s resurgence.
Recruiting analysts are calling it one of the boldest flips in recent memory—not only because of the money he turned down but because of where he chose to go. One thing is certain: the college football world will be watching Tempe very closely come fall 2026.
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