Anthony Wilson
Entering just his second collegiate season, Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada’s career is already one of the most tumultuous and eventful in recent memory. He has become the poster child for names, images and likeness deals gone wrong, a saga brought back to the forefront with Tuesday’s news that Rashada is suing Florida coach Billy Napier — among other figures associated with the Gators — for a failed NIL deal that led to his dissolution from the university.
The unprecedented move is the product of an era in which players can transfer multiple times and cash in on their NIL with impunity. It’s also not the first time Rashada, a former top-50 prospect in the class of 2023, has dominated the news cycle.
Even before enrolling at Arizona State more than a year ago, Rashada went through a complex recruitment process that saw him cycle through two different schools before signing his second letter of intent to join the Sun Devils. After just one year in Tempe, he returned to the market as a coveted transfer in 2024 before joining national title contender Georgia.
There are many significant moments in Rashada’s journey between these milestones. Here’s a timeline charting his already eventful career thus far leading up to his lawsuit.
A turbulent recruitment
June 2022: Rashada, one of the best defenders in the class of 2023, is taking official visits to Texas A&M, LSU, Florida and Miami. The Hurricanes gained significant momentum during Rashada’s visit and turned it into a major recruiting win on June 26 when Rashada commits to Hurricanes.
November 10, 2022: Rashada moves his commitment from Miami to Florida. The Hurricanes were 4-5 in the first nine games of Mario Cristobal’s career, while the Gators — led by eventual first-round quarterback Anthony Richardson — had just won a key game against Texas A&M.
December 21, 2022: Rashada puts pen to paper and ink with Florida during the early signing period.
January 10, 2022: Despite previous indications that he would join the Gators for spring training, reports are emerging that Rashada has not enrolled at Florida.
“Jaden hasn’t enrolled yet, he’s in the Bay Area,” said Rashada’s father, Harlan. told 247Sports. “We are talking to Florida tomorrow (Thursday). We are in constant conversations with Florida regarding his enrollment, but I would like to think that if he is not enrolled by Friday, there will be some challenges moving forward. as planned.”
January 17, 2022: Rashada requests the release of his national letter of intent. A failed NIL deal between Rashada and the now-defunct Gator Collective is the source of friction between the two sides. Three days later, Florida grants release to Rashada.
February 1, 2023: Rashada commits and signs with Arizona State, his father’s alma mater, after visiting the Sun Devils and TCU. It is seen as a huge victory for new coach Kenny Dillingham, just months into his tenure.
Starting your career
August 22, 2023: Rashada defends veteran transfer additions Drew Pyne and Jacob Conover, as well as fifth-year senior Trenton Bourguet, to earn Arizona State’s starting quarterback job right off the bat.
August 31, 2023: Rashada makes his debut against Southern Utah and, despite the 24-21 victory, impresses with 236 yards and two aerial touchdowns.
September 2023: Rashada is injured after Arizona State’s September 9 loss to Oklahoma State and does not appear again until the season finale against in-state rival Arizona. After Rashada’s injury, ASU presents a revolving door at quarterback, with Pyne, Conover and Bourguet seeing the field.
A bump in the road
December 2023: Arizona State receives a commitment from Michigan State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt, and Bourguet – who has started most games in Rashada’s absence – announces his return for a sixth year with the Sun Devils. This creates a stalemate at quarterback where Rashada would have to fight for the job once again.
“In my exit interview with Jaden, I said, ‘Hey, I’m going to get a transfer quarterback to compete. We need competition in that room. We need more depth in that room,'” Dillingham said in December. “And he said, ‘I’m not afraid of competition.’”
January 2024: One NCAA investigation into Florida’s recruitment of Rashada, released in June 2023, comes to light. It’s the latest move following severe punishments handed down to Florida State as the NCAA tries to enforce its NIL rules.
On the road again
April 18, 2024: Rashada, who missed much of Arizona State’s spring training window due to injury, enter the transfer portal. Georgia immediately emerges as the favorite to retain his services.
April 25, 2024: Rashada commits to Georgiaproviding key depth to a quarterback room led by current starter Carson Beck.
May 21, 2024: With the blessing of Georgia coach Kirby Smart, Rashada files a lawsuit against Napier, a prominent Gators defensive back and former football official, over the failed name, image and likeness deal that reportedly paid him $13.5 million in four years.
