Breaking News: Five-Star QB Shocks College Football World by Rejecting $7.5 Million, Decommits from East Carolina, and Flips Commitment to Michigan Over Notre Dame and Georgia Bulldogs………

In a move that has sent ripples across the college football world, **five-star quarterback James Flanigan** has stunned fans and analysts alike by decommitting from **East Carolina University**, rejecting a reported **\$7.5 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)** offer, and flipping his commitment to **the University of Michigan** — choosing the Wolverines over national powerhouses **Notre Dame** and **Georgia

Flanigan, the top-rated dual-threat quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, had been verbally committed to ECU since early February, shocking many at the time by choosing a Group of Five school over multiple SEC and Big Ten offers. Now, just months later, the 6’4”, 215-pound phenom from Rancho Cucamonga, California, has flipped again — this time in the direction many had originally expected.

Flanigan cited “program culture, development potential, and a long-term vision” as the driving forces behind his decision.

At the end of the day, I had to go where I believed I would become the best version of myself,” Flanigan said in a statement released on social media. “Michigan gave me that clarity. I love the energy, the tradition, and most importantly, the opportunity to grow — as a quarterback, as a student, and as a man.

His decision to bypass guaranteed NIL money in the millions in favor of development speaks volumes. In a time where NIL deals dominate headlines and recruiting decisions, Flanigan is bucking the trend, choosing a school with a proven track record of preparing players for the NFL — and offering national title aspirations.

Sources close to the recruitment confirmed that East Carolina had arranged a highly competitive NIL package, worth **\$7.5 million** over three years, with local and national endorsements in the pipeline. Flanigan’s rejection of the deal in favor of a more traditional football path has been described by some as “old-school” and “rare” in today’s environment.

James knew the offer was life-changing money,” said a family advisor. “But he also knew that the Michigan platform could set him up for life — with or without a check right now.”

This decision is sure to fuel ongoing national conversations about the balance between immediate compensation and long-term value in college sports.

For the Wolverines, landing Flanigan represents not just a massive recruiting win, but a signal that their national appeal has never been stronger. Head coach **Sherrone Moore**, entering his second full season as Michigan’s head coach, has built upon the legacy of Jim Harbaugh and kept the program among the nation’s elite.

Flanigan is expected to compete for the starting job in 2026, after the likely departure of current standout quarterback Jadyn Davis. With a quarterback-friendly system and a strong supporting cast, the freshman phenom could thrive early in Ann Arbor.

We’re thrilled to have James in maize and blue,” Moore said. “He’s everything we look for in a Michigan man — talent, toughness, and integrity. This is a major day for our future.

While Michigan fans rejoice, the fallout is real for others. East Carolina loses the highest-rated recruit in its program’s history, and now must pivot quickly before national signing day. Notre Dame and Georgia — both finalists in the running for Flanigan — will need to circle back to other quarterback targets on their boards.

Recruiting experts believe this kind of move could become more common, as top recruits weigh personal development over NIL money.

In an age of NIL chaos, transfer portal frenzy, and recruiting volatility, James Flanigan’s decision is a reminder that, for some athletes, football still comes first. His commitment to Michigan may shape not just the Wolverines’ future, but perhaps signal a trend toward balance in college football’s wild new era.

Money can’t buy everything,” Flanigan posted after his announcement. “Legacy matters.