Signed with four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada Florida But on December 21 He did not report to campus last week amid controversy over name, image and likenessScholarship has asked the publication, sources close to the program confirmed Athletic. 247Sports was the first to report the filing. Here’s what you need to know:
- Sources say the recruit’s family has been at odds with the football program since the Gator collective pulled the plug on a NIL contract worth more than $13 million.
- According to the 247Sports Composite, Rashada is the No. 56 ranked quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class. The Pittsburgh (Calif.) High graduate is one of the highest-ranked quarterbacks the Gators have landed in the past decade.
- He committed to Miami in June amid speculation of a $9 million NIL deal, then returned to Florida on Nov. 10.
- Her father, Harlan, said last week when Rashada participated in the Under-Armour All-American event in Orlando. Athletic The family headed straight to Gainesville for spring enrollment.
What happened?
Sources close to the show said Athletic A $13 million NIL deal struck between Gator Collective and Rashada before he moved to Florida in November began to fall apart last month. Rashada eventually signed anyway, and publicly sounded excited about getting on campus and learning the offense. Last week’s registration delay surrounds a dispute over the value of the renegotiated NIL deal.
What does this mean for Florida’s quarterback situation?
The Gators recently landed a transfer from Wisconsin Graham Mertz And fourth-year sophomore Jack Miller should return. They have too Max Brown, a 2022 signee who redshirted last season. But Rashada is a high-end, big-arm talent expected to acclimate this spring and push for early playing time.
2024 elite quarterback T.J. Lockaway’s commitment helps ease the sting, though Rashada’s departure creates a public relations headache for the football program. It also sheds light on the risks athletic departments face with mandatory NIL agreements that must be negotiated by third parties.
“The University of Florida football program is actually one of the victims in this case,” said a source familiar with Gator Collective’s dealings.
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(Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images)
