The Florida Gators‘ NIL controversy surrounding blue-chip quarterback Jaden Rashada reportedly began with a secret recruiting meeting involving a major booster disguised as a Lamborghini drop-off. This is one of the claims in Rashada’s amended federal lawsuit against Gators head coach Billy Napier, prominent booster Hugh Hathcock, and a former staff member.
The amended complaint states that in June 2022, Rashada and his family met with staffer Marcus Castro-Walker in a conference room at the Gators’ facility during Rashada’s visit as a top prospect. Castro-Walker allegedly told Rashada’s father that one of the university’s biggest boosters, Hathcock, was present and wished to speak with Jaden. Hathcock was reportedly there under the pretense of dropping off his Lamborghini for a photo shoot but was described as having a hidden yet significant connection with UF’s football program.
Hathcock allegedly entered through a back entrance, boasting about his financial support of the program and expressing confidence in the success of Coach Napier. The meeting eventually led to a $13.85 million NIL offer to persuade Rashada to flip his commitment from Miami to Florida. According to Rashada, he had been promised $9.5 million if he had stayed committed to Miami.
While Napier’s attorneys have denied any wrongdoing, the amended complaint challenges this claim, arguing that Hathcock’s conversations with Rashada’s agents showed his financial backing for NIL deals was key to Napier’s recruiting efforts. The complaint also suggests it is unlikely Hathcock would make such an offer without Napier’s direction.
When Rashada hesitated to sign with Florida on the December 2022 early signing day, Napier allegedly pressured him to do so, delaying his press conference until Rashada signed. Napier reassured Rashada that the NIL money “would not be a problem,” according to the complaint.
The lawsuit accuses Napier of violating Florida’s NIL law, NCAA regulations, and his contract by engaging in inducement. Rashada eventually signed with Florida but withdrew a month later after legal intervention. He transferred to Arizona State before joining Georgia, one of the Gators’ biggest rivals.
The updated complaint adds a new charge of civil conspiracy to coerce while maintaining counts related to fraud, negligence, and contract interference. The university and athletic department are not named as defendants.
As a result of the amended complaint, motions to dismiss the case by Napier, Castro-Walker, Hathcock, and Hathcock’s company were denied, with updated responses due on August 27.
