University of Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday accusing University of Florida head football coach William “Billy” Napier and others of fraud and failing to pay a purportedly promised $13.85 million name, image and likeness (NIL) agreement.
Rashada alleges Hugh Hathcock, a longtime University of Florida booster, along with Napier, never intended to pay Rashada the millions promised to sign with the Gators in 2022 after the high school senior had originally intended to play at the University of Miami.
At the time, Rashada was a highly coveted high school quarterback out of Pittsburg, CA. According to 247 Sports, Rashada was the nation’s sixth-highest rated quarterback.
The lawsuit alleges the $13.85 million, funded by “Hathcock’s Gator Guard collective” was promised to Rashada on December 7, 2022. The Gators’ backers also arranged a payment to Rashada to help pay off money owed to University of Miami booster John Ruiz after the quarterback flipped his verbal commitment from the Hurricanes, per the suit.
Eight months earlier, Hathcock made a $12.6 million pledge to Gator Boosters, according to the University of Florida. The school said it was the single largest financial gift in the organization’s history.
Hathcock’s company Velocity Automotive Solutions is listed as a defendant in the lawsuit. Rashada alleges the purported money offered was to be partially funded by Velocity Automotive Solutions.
I'm not stupid. I know this is the world we live in. But I don't have to like it. I've always thought that the most insufferable convention in the world would be the one where new auto dealers gather. Gag me. So much money and so much hubris. Now we have dueling rich guys trying to seduce a 17 year old untested quarterback. I guess I'm supposed to be pleased that Rashada signed with my Bulldogs. Maybe, maybe not.