BREAKING: Skyler Gill-Howard Decommits from Texas Tech, Shocks Football World by Signing with New Orleans Saints over Ohio State and Alabama
BREAKING: Skyler Gill-Howard Decommits from Texas Tech, Shocks Football World by Signing with New Orleans Saints over Ohio State and Alabama
In a move that has rocked the college football world and caught NFL analysts off guard, rising star defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard has decommitted from Texas Tech University and officially signed with the New Orleans Saints, bypassing powerhouse programs Ohio State and Alabama in the process.
The 6-foot-3, 295-pound lineman, who emerged as one of the top interior defensive prospects in the nation, had committed to Texas Tech earlier this year after transferring from Northern Illinois University. At NIU, Gill-Howard made a name for himself with a standout 2024 campaign, tallying 52 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks, earning third-team All-MAC honors and drawing attention from blue-chip programs across the country.
His sudden pivot away from college football to the professional ranks is unprecedented — especially for a player who had yet to take the field in Power Five competition. According to sources close to the situation, Gill-Howard finalized terms with the Saints late Tuesday night, just hours after reports surfaced linking him heavily to both Alabama and Ohio State.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Gill-Howard said in a brief statement. “While I was excited to contribute at Texas Tech, the Saints organization offered me a unique path to develop at the highest level of football. I’m ready to take this next step.”
Saints Make Rare Move to Land Collegiate Star
For the New Orleans Saints, the acquisition marks a bold and unconventional strategy — luring away a collegiate player before his Power Five debut. Though rare, the move underscores the NFL’s evolving landscape, where teams increasingly look to invest early in high-upside talent outside traditional draft pipelines.
“We’ve had our eyes on Skyler for months,” said a Saints spokesperson. “His motor, his explosiveness, and his leadership stood out right away. We’re thrilled to welcome him to New Orleans and help him take the next step in his career.”
The terms of the deal have not been made public, but league insiders suggest it includes developmental guarantees and a structured path through the Saints’ training program, similar to those offered to top-tier international players or high-profile undrafted free agents.
Fallout in Lubbock and Around the Nation
At Texas Tech, the loss is significant. Gill-Howard was projected to anchor the Red Raiders’ defensive front this fall, and his departure leaves a glaring hole in a unit already thin on experience. Tech’s coaching staff now faces the challenge of replacing a player who was expected to make an instant impact.
“This one stings,” said a Red Raiders assistant on condition of anonymity. “He was going to be a difference-maker. But that’s the nature of the game now — opportunities are everywhere.”
Both Ohio State and Alabama were considered finalists for Gill-Howard’s services prior to his original commitment to Texas Tech. Alabama had reportedly offered him an NIL package that would have made him one of the highest-paid defensive transfers in the SEC, while Ohio State had pitched a starting role in their reloaded defensive front.
A New Era of Player Autonomy?
Gill-Howard’s decision could be the harbinger of a seismic shift in the sport. With NIL money, professional alternatives, and increased mobility via the transfer portal, players like him are now exercising greater control over their futures — and, increasingly, choosing unconventional paths.
“This is a wake-up call,” said former NFL executive and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick. “Players are more empowered than ever. The NFL is watching the college game closely, and teams are willing to take risks to get elite talent before the draft.”
For now, Skyler Gill-Howard begins a new chapter in New Orleans — and leaves behind a college football world scrambling to keep up.
