TEMPE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Jaden Rashada #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils throws a pass during warm-ups to the NCAAF game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Mountain America Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Jaden Rashada, a former University of Florida prospect, has launched a lawsuit against the school and its coach, Billy Napier, over his failed historic $14 million NIL contract. Rashada claims he was robbed of millions of dollars using his name, image, and money. The lawsuit, filed on May 21 in the United States District Court in Pensacola, accuses Napier and businessman Hugh Hathcock of fraudulent misrepresentation and inducement, aiding and abetting fraud, civil conspiracy to commit fraud, negligent misrepresentations, inference with a business relationship or contract, aiding and abetting tortious interference, and vicarious liability.
The complaint demands a jury trial and damages of at least $10 million. There is no mention of a breach of contract, therefore either side might have ended the arrangement at any time without penalty.
Rashada became a big name while attending Pittsburg High School in California, passing 5,275 yards and 59 touchdowns. He was set to begin his collegiate football career at the University of Miami, playing for the Hurricanes in the fall of 2022, and was offered a $9.5 million NIL contract. However, things changed when Napier and Hathcock snatched him away with a $13.85 million NIL contract, offering to play for the Florida Gators.
However, the deal was a violation of the NCAA bylaws. According to the suit, the coach vouched for the collective and mentioned Rashada would receive $1 million on signing day. “But before Rashada could arrive on Florida’s campus, the … contract was terminated — suddenly and without warning,” the suit read.
The young player “tolerated” several delays in receiving payment before garnering “no faith in the UF football team’s leadership and the individuals who had constantly lied to him.” Rashada’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said fraud such as this is becoming more and more common. “Sadly, this type of fraud is becoming more commonplace in the Wild West that is today’s college NIL landscape,” he said.
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.”
Other defendants in the suit include Gator’s former director of player engagement and NIL, Marcus Castro-Walker, and Velocity Automotive Solutions LLC, owned by Hathcock, who was said to provide most of the funding for Rashada’s deal.
The NCAA has been watching Florida for a while. An investigation was launched in June 2023 following Rashada’s recruitment. The organization asked the school not to launch its own investigation and said it would contact the school “soon regarding the projected timeline of the investigation.”
However, in March 2023, a look into booster-backed collectives or third parties making NIL compensation deals with Division I athletes stopped, given pending lawsuits. A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit presented by Tennessee and Virginia attorney generals — challenging NCAA rules against recruiting inducements, saying they limit athletes’ ability to cash in on their celebrity and fame.
According to ESPN, the Gator Collective, an independent fundraising organization that helps UF athletes, was behind the transaction. However, once the transaction fell through, the group terminated the contract, and Rashada was released from his letter of intent. He eventually signed with his father’s alma university, Arizona State, and committed to playing for the Sun Devils.
After only playing in two games, an injury kept Rashada sidelined for most of the 2023 season. On April 18, he entered the transfer portal and plans to transfer to the home of the Gator’s biggest rivals — the Georgia Bulldogs — where he will have four years of eligibility remaining.
