Ex-Florida QB Jaden Rashada Settles Lawsuit Against Former Coach Billy Napier

Rashada agreed to a settlement in his two-year legal battle against the former Gators head coach.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Former Florida quarterback commit Jaden Rashada has settled his lawsuit against ex-Gators head coach Billy Napier. Rashada filed the lawsuit in 2024, one year after Florida reportedly failed to pay him the full amount it owed him in NIL salary after he flipped his commitment from Miami. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but the case was resolved before reaching a 'deeply invasive discovery phase and trial in open court'.

Why it matters

This case highlighted the complexities and controversies surrounding NIL deals in college football, as well as the potential legal ramifications for coaches and programs that fail to uphold their end of the bargain. The settlement brings an end to a high-profile dispute that had significant implications for Rashada's college career.

The details

Rashada initially committed to Miami, which agreed to pay him nearly $10 million in NIL money. He then flipped to Florida, which offered him a $13.85 million deal. Napier's staff also purportedly told Rashada they would cover any payments he needed to make to the Hurricanes for breaking that contract. However, Florida failed to come close to paying Rashada the $13.85 million, leading him to decommit within weeks and eventually file the lawsuit.

  • Rashada filed the lawsuit in 2024, one year after the alleged NIL payment issues with Florida.
  • The settlement was reached in February 2026.

The players

Jaden Rashada

A former four-star quarterback recruit who initially committed to Miami before flipping to Florida, where he alleged the school failed to pay him the full NIL amount it had promised.

Billy Napier

The former head coach of the Florida Gators, who was named in Rashada's lawsuit before being fired by the school and later hired as the head coach at James Madison University.

Hugh Hathcock

A Florida booster who owned and operated the independent booster group Gator Collective, which was supposed to be the source of Rashada's NIL payments.

Marcus Castro-Walker

The director of player engagement at the University of Florida, who was also named in Rashada's lawsuit.

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What’s next

Rashada recently transferred to Mississippi State, where he will compete for the starting quarterback job in 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges and legal complexities surrounding NIL deals in college football, as well as the potential consequences for programs and coaches who fail to uphold their end of the bargain. The settlement brings an end to a high-profile dispute, but the broader issues around NIL regulations and enforcement remain unresolved.