Family Feud? CJ Baxter’s Brother Chooses Rival Program, Sparking Holiday Tension at Home

Thanksgiving dinner might be a little awkward at the Baxter household this year. In a move that has sports fans buzzing and family group chats blowing up, Marcus Baxter, the younger brother of standout quarterback CJ Baxter, shocked everyone by committing to a rival college football program. While CJ has become the face of his university’s offense, Marcus announced his intention to blaze his own trail—at their arch-nemesis.

The decision came after weeks of speculation surrounding Marcus, a highly-rated defensive back with offers from nearly every top program in the country. Many assumed he’d follow in his brother’s footsteps, possibly even team up with CJ for a season. But instead, Marcus cited a desire to “create his own legacy,” opting to sign with a program that’s clashed fiercely with CJ’s team in recent years—both on the field and in the media.

Naturally, the announcement stirred up more than just headlines. Sources close to the family say the news caught CJ off guard, and while he’s publicly wished Marcus well, insiders suggest some underlying tension. “They’re competitive to the core,” said a family friend. “Even in backyard games growing up, they’d go at each other like it was the Super Bowl. Now it’s for real.” With the brothers possibly facing off on the national stage, that competitive fire could soon ignite under much brighter lights.

Fans and analysts are already marking their calendars for the next installment of the storied rivalry, which now has a dramatic family twist. The media is calling it “Baxter Bowl I,” and the hype surrounding the matchup is growing by the day. Some even speculate the story could boost viewership and ticket sales, turning what’s already a heated clash into must-watch television.

As for the Baxters, they’ve taken the spotlight in stride—mostly. Their parents, longtime supporters of both sons, say they’re proud of the paths each has chosen. Still, when asked which team they’ll be rooting for, the answer was a diplomatic “We just hope it’s a good game.” With sibling pride, family dinners, and school rivalries all at stake, one thing’s for sure: this feud just got personal.