Florida football coach Billy Napier has commented on the lawsuit that was filed by former signee Jaden Rashada.
“I'm comfortable with my actions,” Billy Napier said at the SEC Spring Meetings, via Trey Wallace. “I'm thankful for the university's support and we're going to keep it at that and let the process take its course.”
Napier was named a defendant in the lawsuit that was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida that claims Jaden Rashada was repeatedly lied to so he would flip his commitment from Miami to Florida football. The lawsuit alleges that Napier promised Rashada $1 million if he signed his National Letter of Intent on early National Signing Day in 2022.
Marcus Castro-Walker, Florida's former director of NIL and player engagement, along with booster Hugh Hathcock were named as defendants in the suit alongside Napier as well. Hugh Hathcocks former company, Velocity Automotive, was named as well.
What happened with Florida football that led to Jaden Rashada filing this lawsuit?
Rashada has a four-year, $13.85 million deal, and the first payment was due for Dec. 5, 2022, with $500,000 being the amount that was supposed to be paid. That did not happen, despite assurances that it would, and Gator Collective terminated the contract on Dec. 6 in a letter that was sent to Rashada. The quarterback delated signing his National Letter of Intent, and the complaint detailed the claims that Napier indicated Rashada would receive the $1 million if he signed on National Signing Day.
“These actions culminated with Coach Napier himself vouching that UF alumni were good on their promise that Jaden would receive $1 million if he signed with UF on National Signing Day,” the complaint states, according to Pete Nakos of on3.com. “Defendant Castro-Walker leveraged the coach's promise that Napier would ‘get it done,' and threatened — on National signing day — that, if Jaden did not sign a national letter of intent with UF, Coach Napier might walk away from Jaden entirely.”
Florida's athletic department has declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying it does not comment on ongoing litigation. This will undoubtedly be one of the biggest stories in college sports.
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