University of Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada has initiated a legal battle against University of Florida’s head football coach Billy Napier, a former assistant, and a prominent booster. The federal lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, centers on a failed Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal that was supposed to pay the former four-star recruit $13.85 million, potentially transforming the landscape of college sports.
Rashada, who recently transferred to Georgia to play for Kirby Smart after a year at Arizona State, was highly sought after in high school. Although initially recruited by Florida and Miami, he had originally committed to Miami in June 2022, only to decommit in November and switch to the Gators due to a lucrative offer.
Miami booster John Ruiz had reportedly offered Rashada a record $9.5 million NIL deal, which Rashada declined in favor of Florida’s $11 million offer. However, Florida later increased their bid, convincing him to join.
Rashada’s lawsuit alleges that he was promised $13.5 million by Florida’s coaching staff and top NIL donor but accuses Napier, former director of player engagement and NIL Marcus Castro-Walker, and top booster Hugh Hathcock of fraudulent inducement. According to the complaint, Hathcock promised Rashada substantial financial support through his company, Velocity Automotive, and the Gator Guard NIL collective.
Problems arose when Hathcock decided to sell Velocity Automotive and proposed funding the deal out of his own pocket, supplemented by the Gator Collective. Despite a formal agreement signed on November 10, 2022, Rashada never received the promised $13.85 million. Instead, on December 6, the Gator Collective voided the deal.
The lawsuit claims Napier and Castro-Walker knew Hathcock wouldn’t fulfill his pledge but continued to assure Rashada otherwise. He allegedly received only $150,000 to repay Ruiz at Miami, and further promises of $1 million were made in violation of NCAA rules. Castro-Walker allegedly threatened to revoke Rashada’s scholarship if he didn’t sign.
Following the ordeal, Rashada asked to be released from his letter of intent and joined Arizona State, where he received no payment but was given a chance to play football. Now at Georgia, Rashada seeks punitive damages for the loss of his $9.5 million Miami NIL deal and other compensation.
