Five-Star QB Shocks College Football World by Turning Down $6.7 Million, Decommits from Colorado, and Flips Commitment to Florida Over Notre Dame and Florida State
In a bombshell move that has rocked the college football recruiting world to its core, five-star quarterback Jalen Shaw has flipped his commitment from Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes to the Florida Gators — rejecting a reported $6.7 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) package in the process. The stunning decision caps one of the most intense recruiting battles of the 2025 cycle and positions Florida as a rapidly rising contender in the new era of college football.
Shaw, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound dual-threat phenom out of Allen, Texas, had previously pledged his commitment to Colorado in December 2024, igniting national headlines as a monumental recruiting win for Sanders and the Buffaloes. But after months of uncertainty, campus visits, and high-stakes NIL negotiations, Shaw stunned insiders by decommitting from Colorado and choosing Billy Napier’s Gators over blue-blood suitors Florida State and Notre Dame.
A Shocking Reversal
Shaw’s flip marks one of the most seismic recruiting decommitments in recent memory. A high-profile commit with NFL tools and a Heisman-level ceiling, Shaw had long been considered the face of Colorado’s 2025 class. After earning offers from virtually every elite Power Five program, his initial commitment to Sanders was seen as a signal that Colorado’s momentum under “Coach Prime” was real and sustainable.
However, behind the scenes, sources close to Shaw say the quarterback had lingering concerns about Colorado’s offensive line depth, inconsistent play-calling in 2024, and overall program infrastructure. The allure of playing for Sanders and the star-studded energy in Boulder couldn’t override Shaw’s long-term football instincts.
And then came Florida.
Napier and offensive coordinator Ryan O’Hara had kept lines of communication open even after Shaw committed elsewhere. Quietly, methodically, Florida continued to pitch its quarterback development plan and SEC-caliber resources. According to insiders, Shaw visited Gainesville unofficially twice during the spring — both times flying under the radar.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame and Florida State made strong pushes, offering competitive NIL packages and more established systems. But it was Florida’s combination of scheme fit, player development, and a rapidly maturing offense that ultimately won Shaw over — even if it meant leaving millions on the table.
Turning Down $6.7 Million
What makes Shaw’s decision all the more staggering is the financial component he declined. Multiple sources, including NIL insiders and school-affiliated collectives, confirmed that Colorado’s backers had assembled an NIL package worth approximately $6.7 million — including guaranteed payments, endorsement deals, and equity options in startups promoted by Buffaloes alumni.
That deal would have been one of the richest in high school football history, rivaling or even exceeding the landmark deals of quarterbacks like Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee) and Jaden Rashada before him.
But Shaw, whose family reportedly emphasized development over dollars, made it clear he wasn’t going to chase short-term gain.
“He knows he’s betting on himself,” one source close to the Shaw family told 247Sports. “$6.7 million sounds great now, but if he becomes a top-5 NFL pick, he’s looking at $40-50 million in his first contract. Florida put him in the best position to achieve that.”
Florida’s NIL offer was competitive — but not in the same galaxy. Estimates place the Gators’ package closer to $2 million over three years, with performance-based incentives tied to starting status and postseason achievements. In the world of 2025 college football, that’s relatively modest for a five-star QB.
Florida’s Recruiting Revival
The implications for the Gators are massive.
After a rocky couple of seasons under Billy Napier — including back-to-back 6-7 finishes — pressure was mounting in Gainesville. Critics questioned Napier’s ability to navigate the modern recruiting landscape, especially after losing multiple in-state battles to Miami and Florida State. But Shaw’s flip is a thunderous statement that Florida is still a premier destination for elite quarterbacks.
More importantly, Shaw is the kind of player who can transform a program. In his junior and senior seasons at Allen High School, he threw for over 7,800 yards with 85 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions, while adding 1,200 rushing yards and 21 more scores. He’s a true dual-threat, with a cannon arm, top-end athleticism, and an off-the-charts football IQ.
Recruiting analysts have compared him to a blend of Caleb Williams and Deshaun Watson — a poised field general who can kill teams from the pocket or on the move.
“Jalen Shaw is the best quarterback prospect I’ve scouted since Trevor Lawrence,” said On3’s Director of Scouting Charles Power. “He’s got all the tools. And at Florida, he’s going to be surrounded by talent, protected by an SEC offensive line, and given every opportunity to shine early.”
Florida’s 2025 recruiting class now vaults into the top five nationally with Shaw’s commitment. It includes five-star offensive tackle Chad Merriweather, top-100 wideout Tyrone Ellis, and elite tight end Brock Dunham — all part of what appears to be a calculated offensive overhaul.
Where Colorado Goes From Here
For Colorado, Shaw’s decommitment is a painful blow. The Buffaloes had marketed him as the next great heir to Shedeur Sanders, with expectations that he would sit for a year behind a potential transfer QB in 2025 before taking over the offense in 2026.
Losing Shaw not only hurts Colorado’s national prestige, it creates major uncertainty at the quarterback position post-Shedeur. With limited high-end options still available in the 2025 class, the Buffs may now have to rely more heavily on the transfer portal.
Deion Sanders responded publicly to the news on social media, tweeting:
“We only want the ones who are 100% in. I respect Jalen’s decision. God has a plan. #CoachPrime”
It was a respectful but clearly frustrated response, and it speaks to the difficult balance Sanders must strike in building a sustainable program in the NIL era — especially with facilities, boosters, and institutional backing still catching up to the traditional powers.
FSU and Notre Dame Left Empty-Handed
While Florida celebrates and Colorado regroups, Florida State and Notre Dame are left wondering what could have been.
The Seminoles were long believed to be Shaw’s “childhood favorite,” and Mike Norvell had made Shaw a centerpiece of his recruiting strategy since 10th grade. Insiders say FSU’s NIL offer was roughly $5 million over four years and included significant opportunities with state and national brands.
Notre Dame’s pitch centered around tradition, development, and the university’s national platform. Head coach Marcus Freeman, quarterback coach Gino Guidugli, and even former Irish legends were involved in Shaw’s recruitment. The Irish made a compelling case for a big-stage career arc — but ultimately couldn’t match Florida’s offensive vision or SEC pedigree.
Both schools will now pivot to other top targets, though Shaw’s late flip leaves a gaping hole in their 2025 quarterback plans.
What’s Next for Shaw?
Shaw plans to enroll early at Florida in January 2026 and will likely compete for the starting job as a true freshman. The Gators have a crowded quarterback room that includes 2024 four-star DJ Lagway and 2023 starter Max Brown, but insiders believe Shaw’s talent may be too special to keep on the bench.
The quarterback competition in Gainesville is expected to be fierce, but fair — and Shaw isn’t shying away from the challenge.
“I’m not looking for handouts,” Shaw said in his commitment post. “I’m looking for greatness. Florida is where I want to write my story.”
That quote has already gone viral, circulating among Gators fans who view Shaw’s decision as the dawn of a new era. If he pans out, he could become the most important quarterback in Florida football history since Tim Tebow — and the symbol of a bold new blueprint in the NIL age: turn down the money, bet on development, and win.
In an age where NIL dollars can easily outweigh tradition or loyalty, Jalen Shaw has flipped the script. His choice to decommit from a Coach Prime-led Colorado program, walk away from $6.7 million, and commit to the Florida Gators signals a recalibration of values at the top of the recruiting pyramid.
This wasn’t just a win for Billy Napier. It was a win for player development. For legacy. For the long game.
As Florida continues to build toward championship contention in the SEC, the quarterback who turned down millions may just be the one who brings them back to the top.
And if that happens — if Shaw leads Florida to the College Football Playoff, wins a Heisman, or becomes the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft — his decision won’t just be remembered. It’ll be legendary.
