“Deal Off, I Will Start Over”: No. 1 American Recruit Commits to Ohio State Football Over Nebraska, Kentucky

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In the ever-evolving world of college football recruiting—where multimillion-dollar NIL deals, transfer portal chaos, and high-stakes coaching pitches collide—the decision of the nation’s No. 1 recruit can shape the trajectory of a program and tilt the scales of national championship races for years to come.

That reality hit hard on Thursday, when Amari Jenkins, the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2026, shocked the college football world with five simple words during a nationally televised press conference:

“Deal off. I will start over.”

With that, Jenkins unzipped a gray jacket to reveal a scarlet Ohio State t-shirt beneath, capping a rollercoaster recruitment and rejecting two programs that had offered not only starting roles, but massive NIL packages: Nebraska and Kentucky.

The Flip Heard Around the Country

Jenkins, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback out of Atlanta’s Westlake High School, had long been considered a Nebraska lean. His dual-threat athleticism, elite pocket presence, and advanced football IQ made him a generational talent, the kind of player entire schemes are built around. Nebraska had spent over a year building a relationship with Jenkins and his family. Sources close to the program believed they had locked him in.

Kentucky, meanwhile, emerged late in the process with a high-dollar NIL pitch backed by influential boosters and the promise of becoming the face of the program. That offer, rumored to top $6.5 million, came with high expectations—but also significant pressure.

Then came Ohio State. Quiet, calculated, and confident.

“Amari knew he could be great anywhere,” said Jenkins’ private quarterbacks coach, Marcus Lovelace. “But he asked a deeper question: ‘Where can I become a legend without selling my soul to a deal?’ That’s when Ohio State moved from the outside to the front.”

A Recruitment Like No Other

In today’s NIL-fueled landscape, top recruits often navigate more like free agents than traditional high school prospects. Jenkins’ recruitment became the centerpiece of that conversation.

Insiders say Jenkins initially agreed to a deal with Kentucky in late April, even going so far as to film a commitment video. But in early May, he quietly requested a second visit to Ohio State. That visit changed everything.

Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and quarterbacks coach Chip Kelly—brought in as offensive coordinator this offseason—laid out a bold plan: Jenkins would redshirt behind the current starter for one year, then take over a revamped, high-tempo spread offense tailored to his strengths.

No NIL pitch. No gimmicks. Just development, tradition, and a path to becoming the next C.J. Stroud or Justin Fields.

“He wanted to be more than a number,” Jenkins’ mother, Veronica, told reporters. “We listened to everyone. But when Ohio State looked us in the eye and said, ‘We’re not going to outbid anyone. We’re going to out-develop everyone,’ that stuck.”

“Deal Off. I Will Start Over.”

The phrase, now viral across college football circles, was as much a statement about Jenkins’ mindset as it was about the modern recruiting environment.

By saying “Deal off,” Jenkins was signaling his break from the transactional nature of his previous recruitment. “Start over” meant more than just switching schools—it meant redefining what mattered most: coaching, culture, and character.

And it couldn’t come at a better time for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes, long viewed as a top-tier program, have lost ground to SEC powers in recent years—particularly in marquee recruiting battles. While their 2025 class was ranked fourth nationally, they lacked a true headliner.

Jenkins instantly changes that.

“We’ve coached first-rounders,” Ryan Day said in a statement. “But Amari has the tools, the discipline, and the humility to be not just great—but one of the greatest. This is a big day for Buckeye Nation.”

Nebraska and Kentucky Left Reeling

For Nebraska and Kentucky, Jenkins’ decision was not only a recruiting blow—it was a PR crisis.

Both schools had been optimistic following recent visits, and both expected to land his commitment. Nebraska, under Matt Rhule, has been in the midst of a major rebuild, aiming to return to national prominence after years in the wilderness. Losing Jenkins—who had become the face of their 2026 recruiting campaign—is a gut punch.

Kentucky, meanwhile, had bet big. Their NIL infrastructure has grown rapidly, and Jenkins was to be the crown jewel. Now, their decision to lead with money rather than development has drawn criticism.

“You can’t buy culture,” said one anonymous SEC assistant. “If that’s all you’re selling, you’ll lose kids like Amari every time.”

A New Era in Columbus

With Jenkins in the fold, Ohio State’s quarterback room becomes one of the deepest and most dynamic in the nation. The Buckeyes already boast several top-tier talents, but Jenkins represents the future—and potentially, the most exciting era of quarterback play in school history.

Analysts describe Jenkins as a “hybrid QB” with the mechanics of an NFL veteran and the mobility of a wide receiver. In his junior season, he threw for 3,822 yards and 41 touchdowns, while rushing for another 1,145 yards and 17 scores.

NFL scouts are already projecting him as a top pick in the 2029 draft.

“Amari Jenkins could be the most complete high school quarterback we’ve evaluated in the last decade,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill. “And Ohio State may have just stolen him from the jaws of NIL madness.”

What Jenkins’ Commitment Means Nationally

Jenkins’ decision could signal a subtle but significant shift in recruiting trends.

After a 2024 cycle dominated by high-dollar NIL commitments, the 2025 and 2026 classes are showing early signs of pushback. Multiple elite recruits have spoken out about the need for balance between money and meaningful development.

“Everyone wants to get paid,” said five-star linebacker Malachi Robinson, a close friend of Jenkins. “But we’re starting to realize that if you don’t ball out, the money doesn’t last. Amari just showed us all how to make a grown decision.”

Programs like Ohio State, Alabama, and Michigan—who’ve largely resisted the urge to match the highest NIL offers—could benefit from that pendulum swing.

The Buckeye Standard, Reinforced

For Ohio State fans, the commitment was about more than landing a five-star—it was about validating their approach.

After missing out on several high-profile quarterback targets in recent cycles, critics began to question whether Ryan Day could still close with the best. Jenkins’ commitment silences that doubt and sends a message to the rest of college football:

Ohio State isn’t just in the game—they’re still capable of winning it all.

Recruiting momentum is already building. Since Jenkins’ announcement, four-star wide receiver Jacari Holmes and top tight end Kamren Bryant have both scheduled official visits to Columbus, citing Jenkins’ decision as “a game-changer.”

A Message That Resonates

Ultimately, Jenkins’ five-word declaration—“Deal off. I will start over.”—has become more than just a recruiting tagline. It’s a challenge to young athletes to think beyond the money, to ask tougher questions, and to value legacy over luxury.

In a time when college football seems more corporate than ever, Jenkins reminded everyone that the soul of the sport still lives in the weight room, the film room, and the decisions made far from the spotlight.

“It’s not about how much they offered,” Jenkins said in his closing remarks. “It’s about how much I believed. I want to be a great man, a great quarterback, and a great Buckeye. That starts today.”