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QB Rashada Settles Lawsuit With Florida Over NIL Deal
Jaden Rashada reaches agreement with former Florida coach Napier, booster Hathcock after $13.8M contract dispute
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada has settled a lawsuit with former Florida head coach Billy Napier, former Florida staffer Marcus Castro-Walker, and Florida booster Hugh Hathcock over a $13.85 million NIL contract that played a role in Rashada flipping his commitment from Miami to Florida in 2022. The settlement comes after nearly two years of legal proceedings.
Why it matters
The Rashada case highlights the growing pains of the new NIL era in college football, where disputes over lucrative recruiting promises have led to lawsuits and player transfers. This settlement could set a precedent for how schools and boosters handle NIL deals going forward.
The details
Rashada, a top 10 quarterback recruit in 2023, originally committed to Miami before Florida offered him a $13.85 million NIL contract that convinced him to flip his commitment. When Florida did not follow through on the deal, Rashada headed to Arizona State instead. He has since transferred to Mississippi State for the 2026 season after stops at Georgia and Sacramento State.
- Rashada committed to Miami in summer 2022.
- Rashada flipped to Florida in fall 2022 after the $13.85M NIL offer.
- Rashada filed the lawsuit against Florida in 2024 while at Georgia.
- The settlement between all parties was reached on February 18, 2026.
The players
Jaden Rashada
A quarterback who has played at Arizona State, Georgia, and Sacramento State after a high-profile recruitment and lawsuit involving Florida.
Billy Napier
Former head football coach at the University of Florida.
Marcus Castro-Walker
Former Florida football staffer involved in the Rashada NIL deal.
Hugh Hathcock
Florida booster who was part of the $13.85 million NIL contract offer to Rashada.
What’s next
Rashada will join Mississippi State for the 2026 season, where he will compete for the starting quarterback job.
The takeaway
The Rashada case underscores the complex issues surrounding NIL deals in college football recruiting, with lawsuits and broken promises becoming more common. Schools and boosters will need to navigate these new waters carefully to avoid similar disputes going forward.
