The Florida football program is the latest uncovered target of an NCAA investigation, according to a report from ESPN’s Mark Schlabach on Friday evening.
Florida’s program is being investigated for the recruitment of prospect Jaden Rashada, a quarterback out of the class of 2023 who originally signed with the Gators but was later released from his national letter of intent.
The basis of Rashada’s falling out with Florida revolved around when his “lucrative name, image and likeness package with an independent collective … fell apart.” Rashada’s deal was reportedly worth more than $13 million over four years, according to Schlabach.
Schlabach’s reporting states that Rashada asked for a release from his deal with the Gator Collective after the collective allegedly “failed to honor his deal.” The Gator Collective has been shut down since all of this unfolded. The release was granted on Jan. 20, 2023, and Rashada decided to take his talents to Arizona State instead.
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Rashada appeared in three games for Arizona State during his freshman season and threw for 485 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions on 44-of-82 passing.
The NCAA sent a notice of inquiry to Florida president Ben Sasse on June 9, which was acquired by the Tampa Bay Times and the Associated Press on Friday, which detailed the investigation that was being launched. Schlabach’s reporting via the AP notes that “Rashada’s name was not mentioned in the letter, nor was the nature of the alleged NCAA rules violations.”
The Florida football investigation is one example of the NCAA’s attempt to reduce NIL packages that are being used to entice recruits to specific programs. Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more on the big developments from the Florida recruiting investigation.
