Breaking: TexasTech Men’s basketball Star JT Toppin Stuns College Football World, Rejects Jaw-Dropping $7.5 Million NIL Offer from Georgia, Notre Dame to Remain with the Texas : ‘I Have No Plans Beyond Being Texas Tech Championship…full Detail

Breaking: Texas Tech Basketball Star JT Toppin Stuns College Football World, Rejects $7.5 Million NIL Offer from Georgia, Notre Dame to Remain in Lubbock: “I Have No Plans Beyond Being Texas Tech Championship”

In a stunning twist that has rocked both the college basketball and football landscapes, Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball phenom JT Toppin has reportedly rejected an eye-popping $7.5 million NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) offer from college football powerhouses Georgia and Notre Dame. The deal, rumored to include cross-sport marketing collaborations and national brand endorsements, was part of an aggressive campaign to convince Toppin to switch sports. Instead, the sophomore All-American announced his unwavering commitment to remain at Texas Tech and chase a national championship on the hardwood.

Toppin, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2024-25, averaging 18.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, led Texas Tech to the Elite Eight and earned Big 12 Player of the Year honors. He quickly became one of the most electrifying and marketable stars in college basketball. But what no one saw coming was the aggressive push by football giants to lure him away—not to the NFL or NBA, but to college football.

Both Georgia and Notre Dame reportedly extended NIL offers that would have allowed Toppin to join their football programs—despite no public indication he intended to switch sports. The $7.5 million package included incentives, national commercial spots, and a fast-track path to Heisman marketing campaigns. The pitch: “Be a generational two-sport athlete.”

But Toppin, known for his loyalty, humility, and fierce competitiveness, had other plans.

“I have no plans beyond being Texas Tech Championship,” Toppin told reporters. “This isn’t just about money. It’s about legacy, loyalty, and finishing what we started in Lubbock. I believe in this team, this coaching staff, and this fanbase.”

The statement sent shockwaves through the NCAA, highlighting a shift in college athletics where high-profile athletes are now targets for multimillion-dollar NIL deals—not just for switching schools, but even switching sports.

This decision, however, isn’t just a testament to Toppin’s loyalty—it’s also a huge win for Texas Tech and head coach Grant McCasland. With Toppin back, the Red Raiders are instant national title contenders for 2025-26 and will likely start the season ranked in the Top 5. Toppin is expected to be a leading candidate for National Player of the Year, and NBA scouts are already projecting him as a lottery pick in 2026.

Beyond that, this moment underscores the growing power of the NIL era. Athletes like Toppin now face choices that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago—choices between millions of dollars and staying loyal to a team, a school, and a dream.

In turning down the glitz, JT Toppin has embraced grit. And in doing so, he’s become more than a basketball star—he’s become a symbol of a new kind of college athlete.

The message is clear: He’s not chasing fame—he’s chasing banners.