Florida 4-star quarterback Jaden Rashada is requesting a release from his national letter of intent signed on Early Signing Day Dec. 21, according to several reports. The story was first reported by 247Sports.
The University of Florida will have 30 days to decide whether or not to grant Rashada’s release.
The move comes after a week of conflicting reports and speculation about the quarterback’s future in Gainesville.
Reports initially surfaced Friday that Rashada would be leaving Florida after the Pittsburg, California, native failed to enroll in classes ahead of last week’s drop/add deadline. Rashada’s father, Harlen Rashada, refuted the report that Rashada requested a release but said there would be challenges if things weren’t resolved by the registration deadline.
Rashada’s recruitment was a roller coaster for Florida and head coach Billy Napier. The Gators heavily pursued the 247Sports composite rankings’ No. 56 overall player, but he originally committed to Miami June 26.
However, he flipped his commitment to the Gators Nov. 10. Rashada signed his NLI on Early Signing Day and planned to enroll in classes for the Spring semester immediately following the Under Armour All-American Game Jan. 3, Napier said.
Issues with Name, Image and Likeness payments led to Rashada’s decision to withdraw from Florida, according to reporting from Pete Nakos of On3. Reports from the Athletic and the Orlando Sentinel state Rashada was offered an NIL deal from the Gator Collective worth $13 million.
Florida added junior Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz and could look to the transfer portal again to find a fourth scholarship quarterback for the 2023 season.
Contact Topher Adams at tadams@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @Topher_Adams.
Topher Adams is a fourth-year communications major and in his fourth semester with the Alligator. He previously covered football, baseball and women's basketball. He also enjoys professional lacrosse and Major League Soccer.
