Breaking News: Five-Star Offensive Lineman Josh Petty Commits to Georgia Tech with Record-Breaking $105 Million NIL Deal
In a groundbreaking moment for both college football and the rapidly evolving NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) landscape, five-star offensive lineman Josh Petty has committed to Georgia Tech, securing one of the largest NIL deals ever for a high school recruit. The commitment, which marks a major victory for the Yellow Jackets, comes as part of a three-year “Roster Value” agreement worth a staggering $105 million, setting a new benchmark in college sports recruiting.
Petty, a highly coveted 2025 prospect and the No. 35 nationally ranked player in his class, chose Georgia Tech over elite programs such as Ohio State, Florida State, Tennessee, and Stanford. While the commitment is a huge win for the Yellow Jackets’ football program, it also underscores the significant impact NIL deals have on the college football recruiting process, particularly for top-tier prospects in key positions like offensive line.
A Record-Breaking Deal
According to Pete Nakos of On3, Petty’s agreement with Georgia Tech is valued at $105 million over three years, making it one of the most lucrative NIL deals ever signed by a college recruit. At $35 million annually, the deal represents a major shift in the financial landscape of college athletics, particularly as schools and NIL collectives race to offer top athletes substantial financial packages to secure their commitments.
“I wasn’t looking for a school to just throw the most money at me. I wanted a deal that felt fair—something that respected what I bring to the table as a player and as a person,” Petty said in an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Georgia Tech has been transparent, easy to work with, and really went above and beyond to make sure this deal was something I could feel good about.”
Petty’s commitment represents more than just a major recruiting victory for Georgia Tech—it symbolizes a broader shift in college football and the way high school athletes view their future opportunities. With the advent of NIL, financial packages are becoming an essential part of recruitment, and in some cases, they’re driving the decision-making process for the nation’s top recruits.
A Changing Recruiting Landscape in the NIL Era
In the years since NIL was introduced in 2021, college football recruiting has been transformed. Athletes no longer just weigh the prestige of a program, the strength of its coaching staff, or its history of winning. Now, high-profile recruits like Petty are also considering the financial potential of their college career—how much money they can earn from NIL deals, endorsements, and other sponsorships.
As the market for NIL deals grows, recruits in high-demand positions such as offensive linemen, quarterbacks, and wide receivers have begun to command multi-million-dollar deals that can extend well beyond their time in college. Petty’s deal is an excellent example of how NIL has altered the game, especially in the recruitment of elite talent.
Petty, an exceptional offensive lineman with rare size, athleticism, and technical ability, has become one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation. As a player whose skills can directly impact a program’s success, his position on the field—an anchor on the offensive line—is one of the most financially valued roles by both college programs and NIL collectives.
The deal is one of the largest ever agreed upon for a recruit and firmly places Georgia Tech at the forefront of the NIL revolution, especially given that the Yellow Jackets were not previously considered an automatic destination for a player of Petty’s caliber. The significant offer from the school demonstrates Georgia Tech’s commitment to competing at the highest level in the new era of college football.
The Family’s Involvement: Navigating the NIL Landscape
While Josh Petty’s talent on the field is undeniable, the financial side of his recruitment has also played a significant role in his decision-making process. Petty’s father, James Petty, spoke candidly about the family’s approach to this unprecedented NIL opportunity.
“We didn’t know the NIL space well when this all started. It’s completely changed the landscape of college athletics, and it’s opened up so many doors for young men,” James Petty told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We turned to Brian Davis, the owner of Power Up Sports, to help guide us through this. He’s helped us understand the process and what it means for Josh—not just as an athlete, but as a young man preparing for his future.”
Power Up Sports, led by Davis, has become a leading player in navigating NIL deals for top recruits. The firm has worked with several high-profile athletes, ensuring that players are protected in the rapidly shifting market and that they make informed decisions. Davis, who has worked with numerous college-bound athletes, said Petty’s deal represents the kind of financial opportunities that athletes in the NIL era can secure—far beyond what was ever possible before.
“Josh’s situation is a game-changer. This isn’t just about a player earning money while in school—it’s about setting up his future,” Davis said. “The deal with Georgia Tech is structured to not only take care of Josh while he’s in college but also to give him a strong financial base for years to come.”
The Dual Appeal of Georgia Tech: Football and Education
While the financial security of the NIL deal is undoubtedly a major factor in Petty’s decision, the family also emphasized the importance of Georgia Tech’s commitment to both athletics and academics. James Petty, who has always placed a premium on education, expressed confidence that Georgia Tech’s strong academic reputation would provide his son with a solid foundation for life after football.
“Georgia Tech has been great in showing us that they take education seriously,” James Petty said. “It wasn’t just about football. It was about making sure Josh had the chance to get a great education that could help him in life after sports. The combination of academics and athletics here is what really sealed the deal for us.”
Georgia Tech, located in Atlanta, is well-known for its prestigious engineering and business programs, and it’s becoming increasingly competitive on the football field as well. With the advent of NIL deals, programs like Georgia Tech—once considered an underdog in the recruitment of top-tier talent—are now able to leverage both their academic excellence and financial backing to attract elite athletes like Petty.
The Future of NIL and College Recruiting
As college football continues to evolve in the NIL era, Petty’s commitment to Georgia Tech serves as a bellwether for how recruiting will be conducted in the years to come. Financial considerations are now a central part of the recruiting process, and as we’ve seen with Petty, athletes are increasingly placing a premium on long-term financial stability, something that NIL deals can provide.
The $105 million deal not only highlights the potential for significant earning power for college athletes but also illustrates the growing influence of NIL collectives and the role they play in shaping the future of college sports. With NIL deals likely to become even more widespread, programs across the country will continue to adjust to this new reality, using financial incentives as a major part of their recruitment strategies.
For Petty, the massive NIL deal with Georgia Tech represents more than just immediate financial success. It’s a long-term investment in his future, both on and off the field. And for Georgia Tech, it’s a signal to the college football world that they are ready to compete at the highest levels of recruiting, utilizing the opportunities afforded by NIL to secure the best talent available.
As NIL continues to reshape the college sports landscape, the bar for recruiting has been set higher than ever before. For top recruits like Josh Petty, the game is changing—and they are ready to capitalize on it.
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