**It’s Officially Done: Five-Star QB Shocks College Football World by Turning Down \$7.6 Million, Decommits from Bengal, and Flips Commitment to Florida Gators Over Notre Dame and Florida State Seminoles**
In one of the most stunning recruiting developments in recent college football history, five-star quarterback phenom **Jalen Ricks** has officially flipped his commitment to the **Florida Gators**, turning down a reported **\$7.6 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)** offer and decommitting from the **Bengal program**—a surprising twist that has left fans, coaches, and analysts buzzing.
Ricks, the No. 1 ranked dual-threat QB in the 2025 class according to multiple recruiting services, had previously committed to the Bengals (believed to be an emerging powerhouse program) in what many assumed was a financially motivated decision. The \$7.6 million NIL package offered through the Bengals’ collective was among the richest ever proposed to a high school athlete. Yet, in a move showcasing maturity and a deeper vision for his football future, Ricks shocked the nation by walking away from the money and instead pledging his future to **Billy Napier’s Florida Gators**.
“Legacy over money,” Ricks posted on his social media platforms. “I want to build something real, somewhere that feels like home. Gainesville is that place.”
In recent weeks, Ricks had taken official visits to **Notre Dame** and **Florida State**, both of whom were considered strong contenders. The Fighting Irish had appealed to his academic interests, while Florida State offered the promise of immediate playing time and a history of producing NFL quarterbacks. But in the end, Florida’s consistent recruitment, SEC pedigree, and quarterback-friendly system won him over.
Florida Gators fans erupted with excitement as the news broke late Tuesday night, with Napier tweeting a single word shortly after: “Believe.” Sources close to the program indicate that Ricks was heavily influenced by Florida’s 2024 recruiting class and the offensive staff’s vision for his development.
“He’s not chasing quick money; he’s chasing greatness,” said a coach familiar with Ricks’ decision. “It’s rare to see a kid this age make a move like that.”
Ricks’ decommitment also signals a potential shift in recruiting culture, where long-term development, coaching trust, and fit might begin to outweigh pure NIL numbers. For Florida, it’s a massive momentum boost as they continue to rebuild under Napier.
With Ricks now in orange and blue, expectations in Gainesville have skyrocketed. The Gators may have just landed the cornerstone of their future—a generational quarterback who chose
heart over hype.
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