In a significant development within the evolving landscape of college athletics, former Florida quarterback Jaden Rashada has settled his NIL lawsuit against ex-Gators coach Billy Napier and a key University of Florida booster. The details of the settlement remain confidential, but court records confirm that a mediation conference on February 10 led to this resolution.
Rashada's lawsuit, filed in May 2024, stands as one of the pioneering legal cases in the new era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation. The lawsuit named Napier, former Florida staffer Marcus Castro-Walker, booster Heath Hathcock, and Hathcock’s former company, Velocity Automotive.
The crux of the dispute was a four-year, $13.85 million deal associated with Florida’s NIL collective. Allegedly, Velocity Automotive was to contribute to the funding, which played a role in Rashada's decision to switch his commitment from Miami to Florida in November 2022. Despite signing with the Gators, Rashada claimed the agreement was not fulfilled, leading to his release from the National Letter of Intent.
In April 2025, the case advanced to discovery on several fraud-related claims under the direction of U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
Rashada's journey since then has been a whirlwind. He transferred to Arizona State, then Georgia, and Sacramento State before ultimately signing with Mississippi State this offseason. Meanwhile, Napier, who was let go by Florida during the 2025 season, is gearing up for his inaugural year as head coach at James Madison.
This case highlights the complexities and challenges of NIL agreements, underscoring the need for clear guidelines and accountability in this new frontier of college sports.