In a bombshell move that sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting world, five-star quarterback Julian “Jett” Maddox, the nation’s No. 2 signal-caller in the class of 2026, flipped his commitment from Alabama to BYU at the stroke of midnight on November 24, 2025. The Murrieta Valley (Calif.) High School phenom, who had been locked in with the Crimson Tide since June, announced the decision via a star-studded social media graphic and video, capping a whirlwind recruitment fueled by family ties, faith, and the Cougars’ surging 9-1 campaign. Maddox’s choice bolsters BYU’s quarterback pipeline amid a playoff push, adding elite arm talent to a room already featuring freshman sensation Bear Bachmeier.
Ranked as the top pro-style passer and No. 12 overall prospect by 247Sports, Maddox (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) decommitted from Alabama just 48 hours after attending BYU’s electric 38-24 upset over No. 7 Texas Tech on November 22— a game where the Cougars’ offense exploded for 478 yards behind Bachmeier’s 289 passing yards and two scores. Insiders say the visit, complete with a post-game locker room sing-along of “Sweet Caroline” and a private dinner with head coach Kalani Sitake, sealed the deal. “BYU wasn’t even on my radar until last month,” Maddox told ESPN’s Pete Thamel in a post-announcement interview. “But from the moment I stepped on campus, it felt different—like home. The faith, the family vibe, the way they play with joy… it was the only choice that felt right.”
Full Text of Maddox’s Announcement
Maddox dropped the news at exactly 12:00 a.m. PT on his Instagram (@jettmaddox10, 45k followers) and X accounts, with a cinematic video montage featuring drone shots of LaVelle Edwards Stadium, clips from his high school highlights (including a 75-yard game-winning bomb in the CIF playoffs), and testimonials from Sitake and Bachmeier. The caption read (lightly edited for clarity):
“After a lot of prayer, talks with my family, and visits that opened my eyes—I’m home. 🤙🏼💙
Committed to BYU Football. The Nation’s No. 2 QB is a Cougar for life.
To Coach Sitake, the staff, and the entire BYU family: Thank you for showing me what true brotherhood looks like. This program’s winning on and off the field—faith first, football second, but man, do they bring the heat. Provo feels like the missing piece.
Alabama, y’all are legends—grateful for the love. But BYU? This is where my heart led me. Rise and grind with the Cougs. #GoCougs #ForTheBrand #HomeAtLast”
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