Rapper Toosii Backs Out of Syracuse Football Plans

The musician had announced plans to join the Orange, but has now changed course.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:39am

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Rapper Toosii, whose real name is Nau'Jour Grainger, had previously announced plans to join the Syracuse University football team as a walk-on. However, after less than two months, Toosii has now said he will no longer be playing for the Orange, claiming that the coaching staff's offer was not what he expected.

Why it matters

Toosii's initial announcement about joining the Syracuse football team generated significant media attention, as it was an unusual move for a 25-year-old rapper with no prior high school football experience. His sudden change of plans raises questions about the legitimacy of his initial claims and the communication between Toosii and the Syracuse coaching staff.

The details

In a TikTok video, Toosii said that Syracuse head coach Fran Brown told him he would be allowed to be a walk-on, but then said the team had "more talent coming in" and that Toosii could no longer join. Toosii disputed this, saying the "conversation was, 'Y'all paying for my school.' That's what it was. If you lie, I've got receipts."

  • Toosii initially announced plans to join the Syracuse football team in late 2025.
  • Toosii backed out of those plans in January 2026, less than two months after his initial announcement.

The players

Toosii

A 25-year-old rapper whose real name is Nau'Jour Grainger, who had announced plans to join the Syracuse University football team as a walk-on.

Fran Brown

The head coach of the Syracuse University football team.

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What they’re saying

“No coach, that ain't what happened. I told you I wasn't coming there no more, and you feel like you wanted to break the news first before I told people what school I was going to. (Brown) is a bozo for that.”

— Toosii, Rapper

“That was never the conversation. The conversation was, 'Y'all paying for my school.' That's what it was. If you lie, I've got receipts.”

— Toosii, Rapper

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Toosii will announce plans to join another college football program, or if he will focus solely on his music career going forward.

The takeaway

Toosii's abrupt change of plans highlights the unpredictable nature of college football recruiting, especially when it involves non-traditional athletes. This incident raises questions about communication between players and coaches, as well as the legitimacy of high-profile announcements that may be more about publicity than substance.