GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Expected to be the centerpiece of Florida’s 2023 class, quarterback Jaden Rashada is headed to Arizona State, he announced on National Signing Day.
Rashada’s decision offers some finality to the drama surrounding the California high schooler who signed with the Gators Dec. 21 but within weeks requested release from his letter of intent. A name, image and likeness deal worth at least $13 million persuaded Rashada to flip his commitment from Miami to Florida on Nov. 10, but the agreement’s collapse ultimately created a rift between the 19-year-old, his family and Billy Napier’s program.
The contract was orchestrated by the Gator Collective, a third-party entity that raises money from athletic donors to fund NIL deals for athletes.
Rated the nation’s No. 7 quarterback prospect by 247Sports composite rankings, Rashada now heads to the Pac-12 and his father Harlen’s alma mater. He played defensive back for the Sun Devils from 1992-94.
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Rashada originally planned to go from Orlando to Gainesville after the Jan. 3 Under Armour All-American game at Camping World Stadium. Instead, he did not enroll and returned home to Pittsburg, Calif., near San Francisco.
