Controversy Surrounds $13 Million NIL Deal for Florida QB Recruit Jaden Rashada

Controversy is swirling over a $13 million NIL deal that was offered to — and later apparently reneged upon — a Florida quarterback recruit.

G. Allan Taylor is The Athletic’s Gator Coverage. Published a wild story Friday An NIL collective in Florida offered Jaden Rashada a contract worth $13 million. He was a California four-star recruit.

Rashada, a former Florida baseball player Eddie Rojas, signed the deal with Gator Collective on Nov. 10.

“I would venture to say the Gator Collective is paying more guaranteed money than any group in the country,” Rojas spoke in April. “When I write a contract, I want to make sure that we actually have the money in our account.”

The Athletic reports that the deal has been completed “presumes” Hugh Hathcock donated $13 Million to the Florida booster program.

Rojas wrote a Dec. 7 letter asking for the termination of the NIL agreement. It is unclear what has changed and the Florida administration was able to learn more quickly as the schools and their athletic staff are not allowed to be directly involved in the transactions.

Florida still announced Rashada as part its recruiting class Dec. 21.

“I just think there’s a high level of trust on both ends there,” Billy Napier, Florida’s head coach, spoke of Rashada in that moment. “I’m really excited about what he’s going to bring to our team. … Can’t compliment Jaden enough relative to who he is as a person, as a leader, his character. Jaden is a guy who came here and fell in love with the University of Florida and really connected with a lot of people here. It was sincere.”

Rashada indicated that he was still keen to play at Florida As recent as last weekHe has not yet enrolled and the deadline for early-spring enrollment is Friday January 13.

Rashada’s father, Harlen, who played defensive back at Arizona State, denied earlier this week that his son had filed for a release from Florida. Harlen 247Sports They were “working through some things right now with Florida and hoping that they get resolved soon.”

The Athletic reports that Rashada is at risk of litigation and has been offered a less lucrative deal, which still amounts to more than seven figures. He must also agree not to sue for enforcement of the old contract.

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