The NCAA is investigating the University of Florida football program a year after an unsuccessful NIL deal, rumored to be valued at $13 million, involving former recruit Jaden Rashada.
Rashada officially joined the Gators in December 2022. However, on January 20, he was released from his letter of intent. This decision came after the Gator Collective, an independent fundraising group loosely associated with the university, failed to fulfill a multiyear agreement that had been mutually signed.
The quarterback, originally ranked as the 31st overall prospect by ESPN in the 2023 class, ultimately found a place with Arizona State.
Steve McClain, a senior associate athletics director at Florida, stated, “We have cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the NCAA.”
We uphold rigorous standards of excellence and integrity both on and off the field. As we adhere to NCAA policies regarding confidentiality, we are unable to provide further comments.
The NCAA requested the school refrain from conducting its own investigation and indicated that it would inform the institution shortly about the anticipated timeline of the inquiry. The Gators made the NCAA’s notice of inquiry public on Friday, sharing it with The Associated Press and the Tampa Bay Times.
Dated June 9, 2023, the NCAA’s correspondence is directed to university president Ben Sasse, notifying that the NCAA enforcement staff has initiated an investigation into the football program. The names of investigators were redacted, and Jaden Rashada was not specifically mentioned.
Florida coach Billy Napier has consistently mentioned that NCAA rules prevent him from disclosing specifics about the issues with Rashada. He also expressed surprise at the initiation of an NCAA investigation.
“I wish we could provide specifics, but we’re restricted from doing so,” Napier stated last year. “I think the reality is the current structure of NIL with third parties being involved, along with agents, marketing representatives, lawyers, and collectives, is very fluid and presents a very unique dynamic.”
The Gator Collective has been dissolved, and Rashada participated in three games for the Sun Devils last season.
