In a stunning turn of events, **five-star quarterback Gregory Patrick** has decommitted from **East Carolina University** and flipped his commitment to the **University of Michigan**, bypassing offers from **Notre Dame** and the **Georgia Bulldogs** [A](https://www.upchelsea.com/2025/05/04/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-read-more/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). This move has sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting landscape, reshaping expectations for top-tier prospects.
### A Bold Decision
Patrick, a highly touted prospect from the **2025 recruiting class**, had previously committed to **East Carolina**, reportedly turning down a lucrative **$7.5 million NIL deal** [A](https://www.upchelsea.com/2025/05/04/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-read-more/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJTc2NxdU5HMTVGbmg0OU5ueGY0QzIiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVGttNEcyckNucURQa1Q3YUFpY3FrIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnVwY2hlbHNlYS5jb21cLzIwMjVcLzA1XC8wNFwvYnJlYWtpbmctbmV3cy1maXZlLXN0YXItcWItc2hvY2tzLWNvbGxlZ2UtZm9vdGJhbGwtd29ybGQtYnktcmVqZWN0aW5nLTctNS1taWxsaW9uLWRlY29tbWl0cy1mcm9tLWVhc3QtY2Fyb2xpbmEtYW5kLWZsaXBzLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtdG8tbWljaGlnYW4tb3Zlci1ub3RyZS1kYW1lLWFuZC1nZW9yZ2lhLWJ1bGxkb2dzLXJlYWQtbW9yZVwvIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). However, after careful consideration and discussions with his family and advisors, he decided to pursue opportunities at a higher-profile program that aligns more closely with his aspirations.
### Why Michigan?
Michigan, known for its **storied football program** and strong emphasis on **player development**, emerged as the preferred destination for Patrick [A](https://www.upchelsea.com/2025/05/04/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-read-more/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). The Wolverines’ coaching staff, led by **head coach Jim Harbaugh**, reportedly made a compelling case for Patrick’s potential role within the team and the resources available to support his growth both on and off the field.
### The Competition: Notre Dame & Georgia
Both **Notre Dame** and **Georgia**, perennial powerhouses in college football, had extended offers to Patrick [A](https://www.upchelsea.com/2025/05/04/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-read-more/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). However, he ultimately chose Michigan, citing factors such as:
– The program’s **tradition** and **winning culture**.
– The **coaching staff’s vision** for his development.
– The opportunity to **compete at the highest level** in the Big Ten.
### Impact on College Football Recruiting
Patrick’s commitment flip not only strengthens **Michigan’s recruiting class** but also signals a shift in the college football recruiting dynamics [A](https://www.upchelsea.com/2025/05/04/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-read-more/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His decision highlights the increasing influence of **NIL deals**, program prestige, and personal aspirations in shaping the choices of top recruits.
As Patrick prepares to join the Wolverines, all eyes will be on his development and the impact he will have on **Michigan’s future success**. This move could redefine how elite prospects approach their college decisions, making it clear that financial incentives alone are not always the deciding factor in recruitment.
