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Jaden Rashada timeline: Commitments, decommitments, NIL fiasco, transfer portal & lawsuit

Andy Staples head shotby:Andy Staples•05/21/24•

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QB Jaden Rashada SUES Florida coach Billy Napier and mega-booster Hugh Hathcock

The wild career of Jaden Rashada, the quarterback that had a $13.85 million NIL deal fall through with in 2022, took another twist on Tuesday when he sued Florida head coach Billy Napier, a top UF booster, and former Gators staffer.

Below is a timeline of events for Rashada, who emerged as a top quarterback recruit in 2021 as a junior in high school.

June 26, 2022: Jaden Rashada, a four-star recruit in the class of 2023 from Pittsburg, Calif., commits to Miami. Rashada chooses the Hurricanes over Florida, Ole Miss, LSU and Texas A&M.

Nov. 9, 2022: Florida donor Hugh Hathcock tweets “Tomorrow will be a Great Day Gator Fans!!”

Nov. 10, 2022: Rashada signs a contract with The Gator Collective that promises as much as $13.85 million over four years. The contract requires Rashada to sign autographs, participate in fan engagement events and make sponsored social media posts. It also calls for a $500,000 payment due on or before Dec. 5, 2022.

Nov. 11, 2022: Shortly after midnight Eastern time, Rashada tweets that he has flipped his commitment from Miami to Florida.

Dec. 5, 2022: The deadline passes without a payment being made to Rashada.

Dec. 6, 2022: The Gator Collective terminates the contract with Rashada.

Dec. 21, 2022: Rashada signs a National Letter of Intent with Florida.

Jan. 10, 2023: Rashada does not report to Gainesville on move-in day for the Gators’ early enrollees. 

Jan. 20, 2023: Florida releases Rashada from his NLI.

Feb. 1, 2023: Rashada commits to Arizona State, where his father once played.

Aug. 31, 2023: With Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne out because of an injury, Rashada starts his first collegiate game. He throws for 236 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-21 win against Southern Utah. He starts again against Oklahoma State but a knee injury keeps him out for Arizona State’s next nine games.

Nov. 25, 2023: Rashada returns for the Sun Devils’ season finale, a 59-23 loss to Arizona.

April 18, 2024: Rashada announces that he’ll enter the transfer portal.

April 25, 2024: Rashada commits to Georgia.

May 21, 2024: Rashada files a federal lawsuit alleging fraud against Florida coach Billy Napier, former Gators recruiting staffer Marcus Castro-Walker, Hathcock and Velocity Automotive, the company Hathcock sold in 2023.