JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A top-ranked quarterback from the 2023 recruiting class is suing Florida Gators Head Coach Billy Napier and a University of Florida booster alleging fraud.
In a seven-count complaint filed on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Pensacola, Jaden Rashada accused Napier and the Gator boosters, led by automotive technology entrepreneur Hugh Hathcock, of fraudulent misrepresentation and inducement, aiding and abetting fraud, civil conspiracy to commit fraud, negligent misrepresentations, tortious inference with a business relationship or contract, aiding and abetting tortious interference and vicarious liability. The complaint seeks a jury trial and damages of at least $10 million.
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According to a news release from the law firm representing Rashada, in the summer and fall of 2022, Rashada was a 19-year-old quarterback from Pittsburg High in California and ranked No. 7 nationally. After being recruited by several top college football programs, Rashada agreed to attend the University of Miami and once he agreed, Miami promised Rashada a $9.5 million NIL deal. But the Gators lured Rashada away from Miami with a reported $13 million NIL deal, which his attorney said violated NCAA bylaws.
“But before Rashada could arrive on Florida’s campus, the $13.85 million contract was terminated – suddenly and without warning,” his attorneys wrote. “The defendants’ unethical and illegal behavior did not end with the NIL contract being canceled, according to the complaint (see attached). They continued to lie and make material misrepresentations to Rashada in an effort to keep him at Florida, but compensate him considerably less than what they initially promised.”
According to the news release, Napier said that UF alumni were good on their promise that Rashada would receive $1 million if he signed with UF on National Signing Day.
Rashada withdrew his official intent to play for Florida and ended up at Arizona State. After one season, Rashada transferred to the University of Georgia for the upcoming season.
“Sadly, this type of fraud is becoming more commonplace in the Wild West that is today’s college NIL landscape,” said Rusty Hardin, an attorney representing Rashada. “Wealthy alumni, consumed by their schools’ athletic programs, are taking advantage of young people by offering them life-changing sums of money, only to renege on their commitments. As the first scholar-athlete to take a stand against this egregious behavior, Jaden seeks to hold these defendants accountable for their actions and to expose their as-yet unchecked abuse of power.”
Attorneys said the complaint includes text messages documenting the fraudulent promises and inducements, including several telling Rashada’s agent “we look forward to setting him (Rashada) up for life” and adding that Rashada needed to “set up his brokerage accounts asap. … Dude is rich and we just got started.”
The lawsuit represents one side of the story. UF and Napier have yet to comment on the allegations.
