Nation’s No. 1 Recruit Mark Matthews Shocks College Football, Rejects $9.5 M NIL & SEC Powerhouses to Commit to Penn State..

Nation’s No. 1 Recruit Mark Matthews Shocks College Football, Rejects $9.5 M NIL & SEC Powerhouses to Commit to Penn State

In one of the most stunning developments of the 2026–27 recruiting cycle, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect, five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews, has committed to Penn State University, turning down a historic $9.5 million NIL offer and heavy pursuit from multiple SEC blue-blood programs.

 

 

 

Matthews, a 6-foot-5, 301-pound lineman from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida, emerged as one of the highest-coveted high school players in the country over the past year. Known for his powerful frame, elite footwork, and exceptional technique, he consistently dominated elite competition and drew comparisons to established collegiate stars at his position.

 

Despite intense recruitment from powerhouse programs — including traditional national title contenders in the SEC and other Power Five conferences — Matthews made it clear that “fit, development, and legacy” outweighed financial considerations in his decision. The prospect reportedly turned down an NIL package worth up to $9.5 million, a figure that would have ranked among the richest ever offered to a high school recruit, choosing instead what he described as “the right environment to grow as a player and person.” �