Four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada, who signed with Florida on Dec. 21 however did not report to campus last week amid a name, image and likeness dispute, requested for a scholarship release, sources near this system confirmed to The Athletic. 247Sports was the primary to report the submitting. Here’s what you might want to know:
- Sources stated the recruit’s household has been at odds with the soccer program ever because the Gator Collective terminated an NIL contract valued at greater than $13 million.
- Rashada is the No. 56 prospect within the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 7 quarterback, per the 247Sports Composite. The graduate of Pittsburg (Calif.) High was among the many highest-ranked quarterbacks the Gators have landed up to now decade.
- He dedicated to Miami in June amid hypothesis of a $9 million NIL deal, then flipped to Florida on Nov. 10.
- While Rashada participated within the Under-Armour All-American occasion final week in Orlando, his father Harlen instructed The Athletic the household was headed straight to Gainesville for spring enrollment.
What occurred?
Sources near this system instructed The Athletic {that a} $13 million NIL deal, struck between the Gator Collective and Rashada earlier than he flipped to Florida in November, started falling aside final month. Rashada in the end signed anyway and publicly sounded enthused about shifting in on campus and studying the offense. Last week’s enrollment delay surrounded competition over the worth of a renegotiated NIL deal.
What does this imply for Florida’s quarterback state of affairs?
The Gators just lately landed Wisconsin switch Graham Mertz and have fourth-year sophomore Jack Miller returning. They even have Max Brown, a 2022 signee who redshirted this previous season. But Rashada was the high-profile, big-arm expertise who was anticipated to acclimate this spring and push for early taking part in time.
A dedication from 2024 elite quarterback DJ Lagway helps ease the sting, although Rashada’s departure creates a public relations headache for the soccer program. It additionally shines a light-weight on the perils athletic departments face with NIL offers compelled to be negotiated by a 3rd occasion.
“The University of Florida football program is really one of victims in this case,” stated a supply aware of the Gator Collective’s dealings.
Required studying
(Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images)