JUST IN: Jahiem White, the five-star running back and West Virginia’s prized recruit, has recently made headlines by declining a substantial $6.5 million NIL offer from the University of Southern California (USC). This unprecedented decision underscores White’s commitment to his current team and his personal values, prioritizing loyalty over financial gain.
In an era where college football has rapidly shifted into a business-oriented landscape dominated by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, Jahiem White’s decision has sent shockwaves across the sport. NIL has created a marketplace where top prospects are courted not just by program traditions or coaching reputations, but by high-dollar offers from donors, collectives, and corporate partnerships. For a player to walk away from the kind of money that some professional rookies don’t even earn in their first year is nearly unheard of.
White, a standout at West Virginia, is not just another highly rated recruit. His explosive speed, elite vision, and uncanny ability to make defenders miss have already marked him as one of the most promising running backs in the country. West Virginia head coach Neal Brown has built much of the program’s momentum around young players like White, banking on their hunger, humility, and work ethic. Insiders say that Brown views White as the centerpiece of the team’s future offense, an athlete capable of redefining the Mountaineers’ identity over the next few seasons.
That’s why USC’s offer didn’t come as a surprise. What stunned the college football world was White’s refusal to chase the paycheck.
According to internal campus sources, USC’s NIL collective aggressively pursued White during the offseason, offering him what is believed to be one of the largest individual NIL packages presented to a college running back: an estimated $6.5 million deal, stacked with brand partnerships, personal marketing opportunities, and additional incentives related to media appearances in Los Angeles. USC head coach Lincoln Riley has been known for his ability to lure elite offensive talent, especially offensive skill players, and a five-star running back with White’s potential seemed like the perfect fit.
But instead of being swayed by the bright lights of Hollywood, White doubled down on his loyalty to West Virginia.
Those close to the program say White values being part of something that feels authentic. West Virginia offered him a platform, a coaching staff that believed in him early, and a community that embraced him without seeing him as a commodity. White’s decision, while surprising from a business standpoint, reflects something deeper: legacy over luxury.
West Virginia fans have responded with overwhelming admiration. For a program often overshadowed by blue-blood powerhouses, a player choosing loyalty over millions reinforces the emotional connection that Mountaineer Nation has with its athletes. Social media has exploded with fan-made graphics, heartfelt messages, and a wave of support that has further cemented White as a campus legend before he has even completed his first full season as a starter.
Analysts across the country are already suggesting that White’s decision may alter the trajectory of West Virginia football. When a top recruit rejects a mega offer from a powerhouse like USC, it sends a message that culture and relationships still matter. It also raises the question of how far NIL collectives will go and what the future of college recruiting will look like. If loyalty becomes headline material, programs with strong community identities may finally have leverage against top-dollar NIL bidding wars.
While White isn’t speaking publicly at the moment, those familiar with his mindset say his goal is simple: win with the team that believed in him from day one. He wants to build West Virginia into a contender, not jump ship to a program where success is already branded onto the walls. For White, forging his own legacy means more than taking the biggest payday.
It is rare to see an athlete choose long-term purpose over short-term profit. It is even rarer in a sport now defined by transfer windows, NIL negotiations, and constant movement. Jahiem White’s decision feels like a throwback to a version of college football that many fans believed was lost forever.
West Virginia now enters the season with momentum, belief, and something you can’t buy with any NIL package: loyalty from their brightest star.
And that may prove to be worth more than millions.
One thing is certain. The college football world will be watching Jahiem White — not just because of what he does on the field, but because of what he chose not to do off it.
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