Former Florida quarterback Jaden Rashada has reached a confidential settlement in his NIL lawsuit involving former Gators coach Billy Napier and a prominent University of Florida booster. This development, revealed through court records, marks a significant moment in the evolving landscape of college athletics.
The settlement came after a mediation conference held on February 10, though the specific terms remain undisclosed. This lawsuit, filed in May 2024, was one of the early high-profile cases in the new era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation. The suit named Napier, former Florida staffer Marcus Castro-Walker, booster Heath Hathcock, and Hathcock’s former company, Velocity Automotive.
At the heart of the dispute was a reported four-year, $13.85 million agreement linked to Florida’s NIL collective. The complaint alleged that Velocity Automotive was supposed to help fund this package, which influenced Rashada’s decision to switch his commitment from Miami to Florida in November 2022. However, Rashada claimed the agreement was not honored, leading to his release from his National Letter of Intent.
In April 2025, U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers allowed the case to move forward on several fraud-related claims, underscoring the legal complexities surrounding NIL agreements.
Rashada's journey has been a whirlwind since then. He transferred to Arizona State, then Georgia, and Sacramento State before signing with Mississippi State this offseason. Meanwhile, Napier, who was let go by Florida during the 2025 season, is gearing up for his first year as head coach at James Madison.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges and adjustments in college sports as programs and athletes navigate the new NIL landscape.