Florida could lose top recruit after massive NIL deal creates controversy

The College of Florida may very well be near shedding a prime soccer recruit after a $13 miillion NIL deal has brought about some controversy. 

Quarterback Jaden Rashada, an All-American from Pittsburg, Calif., is a four-star recruit who signed an NIL deal price that huge price ticket on Nov. 10 with the Gator Collective, experiences The Athletic. 

“I’d enterprise to say the Gator Collective is paying extra assured cash than any group within the nation,” Eddie Rojas, a former Gators baseball participant and head of the Gator Collective, stated in April. “After I write a contract, I wish to guarantee that we even have the cash in our account.”

It’s doesn’t seem that Rojas’ group did have that cash, as they reneged on the cope with Rashada. The Athletic states that the deal had presumptive help from one of many Gator Collective’s prime boosters, Hugh Hathcock, who donated virtually $13 million final yr. 

However on Dec. 7, Rashada acquired a letter from Rojas wishing to terminate their deal. Whereas it’s unclear the precise cause why that occurred, the Gators’ soccer program was caught unexpectedly as they aren’t allowed to know specifics of NIL offers with gamers. 

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Rashada, although, continues to be part of the Gators’ recruiting class for 2023, but there’s nonetheless a catch: He hasn’t enrolled but. 

Early spring enrollment, which is normally what prime recruits do to get within the constructing as shortly as doable to make the transition into faculty simpler, ended on Jan. 13. 

Quarterback Jaden Rashada runs with the ball throughout the Below Armour Subsequent All-America Sport at Tenting World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 3, 2023.
(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune Information Service through Getty Photos.)

And whereas Rashada did point out final week that he intends to go to Florida, the early-enrollment standing nonetheless leaves him in limbo. 

Harlen Rashada, Jaden’s father, informed 247Sports that he and his son are “working by means of some issues proper now with Florida and hoping that they get resolved quickly.”

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“I simply suppose there’s a excessive stage of belief on each ends there,” Florida head coach Billy Napier stated of Rashada when the recruiting class was introduced. “I’m actually enthusiastic about what he’s going to convey to our crew. . . . Can’t praise Jaden sufficient relative to who he’s as an individual, as a pacesetter, his character. Jaden is a man who got here right here and fell in love with the College of Florida and actually related with lots of people right here. It was honest.”

Crew Velocity quarterback Jaden Rashada (5) earlier than the Below Armour Subsequent All-America Soccer Gameon January 3, 2023, at Tenting World Stadium in Orlando, FL.
(Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)

Rashada has reportedly been provided a lesser NIL deal than the $13 million – nonetheless within the seven-figure vary – however litigation may very well be on the desk after the Gator Collective determined to drag the deal. That might solely come if he decides to not conform to a brand new deal.