Florida releases highly touted QB recruit Jaden Rashada ‘after collective failed to honor NIL deal’
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In a change that could significantly affect the college football recruiting landscape, highly touted high school quarterback Jaden Rashada has been released from his National Letter of Intent by the Florida Gators over issues with a related endorsement deal. with your initial decision to attend school.
Rashada’s decision came after the Gator Collective, an independent fundraising group that is loosely linked to the university and pays student athletes to use their name, image and likeness, failed to honor a four-year contract. years worth more than $13 million, according to a report. person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither party publicly acknowledged the split.
The high-profile case will, at the very least, spark change in Florida. It could also lead to a lawsuit and potentially an NCAA investigation.
In a change that could have a significant impact on the college football recruiting landscape, highly touted high school quarterback Jaden Rashada has been released from his National Letter of Intent by the Florida Gators over deal issues. of sponsorship related to your initial decision to attend the school.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Rashada changed her verbal commitment from Miami to Florida on November 10. Rashada, his representatives, and the Gator Collective had presumably agreed to the terms of a lucrative NIL deal at the time of his trade.
One of Florida’s biggest boosters, millionaire businessman Hugh Hathcock, tweeted: “Big day tomorrow alligator fans!!!” the night before Rashada’s announcement. The next day, less than five hours before Rashada publicly announced the move to him, Hathcock tweeted: ‘All good!!! Just a little longer!!!’
The deal fell apart less than a month later. The Athletic reported that Gator Collective CEO Eddie Rojas sent a termination letter to Rashada and his representatives on December 7. It’s unclear why the deal fell apart, but a source with knowledge of the negotiations told the AP that not all financial backers were aware. that the signed deal had increased from approximately $5 million over four years to more than $13 million.
Rashada did not sign up with other signees days after playing in a Jan. 3 all-star game in nearby Orlando. The 19-year-old finally made it back to the West Coast.
WHO IS RASHADA?
Rashada is a five-star QB prospect from Pittsburgh, California, who is ranked 29th overall by 247Sports in the recruiting class of 2023. His father, Harlen Rashada, played defenseman at Arizona State (1992-94).
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Jaden Rashada passed for 5,275 yards in Pittsburgh last season, with 59 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
His initial decision to come to Florida was seen as a blessing for Gators first-year coach Billy Napier, and Rashada was expected to compete with Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz for the starting job at Florida, which he has now lost. Five scholarship quarterbacks in the past 10 months. . Starter Anthony Richardson left early to enter the NFL draft, backup Jalen Kitna was fired following his arrest on child pornography charges, and Emory Jones and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson were traded last spring.
Florida also had its eye on Tulane’s Michael Pratt and Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman, but Pratt ended up back at Tulane and Hartman landed at Notre Dame. The Gators also missed out on former LSU quarterback Walker Howard, who will transfer to Mississippi despite a long relationship with Napier.
Florida head coach Billy Napier, right, watches players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Eastern Washington on October 2.
WHATS NEXT?
Rashada is free to sign up elsewhere without having to go into the transfer portal. He has already been linked to the state of Arizona and Washington.
What remains to be seen is whether Rashada will sue the Gator Collective, along with possibly the athletic department and the university, hoping to get at least a share of the $13 million he was promised. She possibly could ask for more if she believes her reputation was damaged.
The Gators could still use some help at the all-important quarterback position with just three scholarship quarterbacks: Mertz, Miller and redshirt rookie Max Brown. The big question: How will Rashada’s botched recruiting affect future prospects?
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES?
Florida already plans to encourage its collectives to make changes, and a potential one is a merger between the Gator Collective and the more exclusive Gator Guard. Movements of personnel within the collective are also expected.
The NCAA could also investigate. The sanctioning body has rules regarding NIL transactions. Promoters and NIL entities may not engage in discussions or recruiting activities with respect to prospective student-athletes, and no promises may be made between family members and promoters or NIL entities that are dependent on the prospective student’s enrollment. athlete in an institution.
Collectives have circumvented those rules with ZIP code clauses, according to Florida-based attorney Darren Heitner, who works with the Gator Collective. The clauses use contractual language to stipulate that student-athletes must reside in a certain jurisdiction for the settlements to be payable.