The legal battle between quarterback Jaden Rashada and several high-profile figures associated with Florida football has intensified. A hearing is now set for Dec. 18 in U.S. District Court to address motions to dismiss the lawsuit, according to a report from On3.com.
Rashada, who originally signed with the Florida Gators in December 2022, alleges he was defrauded into joining the program under the promise of a $13.8 million NIL deal. Named in the lawsuit are Florida head coach Billy Napier, prominent Gators booster Hugh Hathcock, former staffer Marcus Castro-Walker, and Hathcock’s company, Velocity Automotive.
The suit, filed in May, claims that Rashada was lured to the program based on promises tied to the now-defunct Gator Collective. However, Napier’s legal team argues the coach was unaware of any contractual agreement between Rashada, his NIL agents, and the collective.
After a tumultuous few months, Rashada requested and was granted a release from his letter of intent in January 2023. He later played briefly at Arizona State before transferring to Georgia, where he now finds himself third on the depth chart behind Carson Beck and Gunner Stockton.
As the Dec. 18 hearing approaches, questions surrounding the lawsuit’s validity and the broader implications of NIL agreements in college athletics remain at the forefront. Will this case shed light on the often-murky world of NIL deals, or will it further complicate the landscape? Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.
