Tag: Napier

Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada (10) warms up before the start of a NCAA college football game against Massachusetts in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.

Reports: Ex-Florida QB Jaden Rashada settles NIL lawsuit

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Jaden Rashada agreed to a settlement on Tuesday, ending his name, image and likeness lawsuit targeting former Florida coach Billy Napier and others.

Terms of the agreement were not announced.

The defendants included Napier, school booster Hugh Hathcock, Hathcock’s company and ex-Florida staffer Marcus Castro-Walker, according to The Athletic.

Rashada accused the defendants of reneging on a four-year, $13.85 million NIL agreement reached when he was a high school senior in Pittsburg, Calif., in late 2022.

The quarterback, who previously committed to Miami, instead signed with Florida, but he never played for the Gators.

Rashada’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, told ESPN after the settlement was revealed, “He’s a bright young man with great judgment. He thought it was time to move on. He made the point he wanted to make, and now he’s ready to go play football.”

Napier’s attorneys, Hank Coxe and Michael Lockamy, said in a statement to The Athletic, “The parties have reached a confidential resolution of the litigation. The case will be dismissed, and all parties are moving forward.”

While the case was working its way through the legal system, a federal judge wrote in 2025, per The Athletic, that Rashada’s assertions “advance a compelling narrative that the Defendants were all marching to the beat of the same drum throughout Rashada’s failed recruitment to UF, each taking interwoven and often overlapping steps designed to lure Rashada away from Miami all while knowing they would never make good on the NIL promises made and leading Rashada on until his other NIL offers dried up.”

Rashada appeared in three games for Arizona State in 2023, completing 53.7% of his passes for 485 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.

He subsequently transferred to Georgia, though he never played for the Bulldogs, and then to Sacramento State. Last season for the Hornets, he connected on 40.5% of his passes for 264 yards with one TD and one interception in six games.

Three weeks ago, Rashada transferred again, to Mississippi State.

–Field Level Media

Report: Ex-Florida coach Billy Napier linked to JMU opening

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Former Florida coach Billy Napier is a “person of interest” for the vacancy at James Madison, On3 reported Thursday.

The job at JMU came open this week when Bob Chesney was hired to be the new head coach at UCLA.

Napier, 46, also is reportedly one of five candidates who have interviewed to replace Jon Sumrall at Tulane. Sumrall took Napier’s former position at Florida.

Florida fired Napier on Oct. 19 in the midst of his fourth season in Gainesville. He was 22-23 with the Gators.

Florida entered the season ranked No. 15 before losses to South Florida, LSU, Miami and Texas A&M.

Napier has a 62-35 overall coaching record after posting a 40-12 mark with Louisiana (2018-21).

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball during fall football practice at Heavener Football Complex at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

Florida QB DJ Lagway takes first 11-on-11 reps of camp

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With the season opener less than two weeks away, Florida starting quarterback DJ Lagway participated in his first 11-on-11 practice of fall camp on Monday.

According to multiple media reports, Lagway still wore a noncontact jersey as he participated in the live drills for the first time since opening camp in a walking boot.

Lagway could not throw during Florida’s spring practices due to a shoulder injury. He said at Southeastern Conference media days in July that he would be a full participant in fall camp.

Then, he hurt his lower leg during a team run, according to reports. It was diagnosed as a calf strain.

“He took team reps today, which was good, and obviously he was hitting,” coach Billy Napier told reporters on Monday. “He had a great full, full stack of throws last week, four days in a row. Didn’t scrimmage, but did quite a bit of work that day. So yeah, he’s feeling much better and he’s moving around well.”

Lagway was the No. 1-rated quarterback in the high school Class of 2024. He took over as the Gators’ starter midway through 2024 and was named a freshman All-American after throwing for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games.

He was expected to be in the Heisman Trophy discussion this year, barring injuries.

It’s unclear who would start behind center if Lagway cannot play, as Napier said the position battle for backup quarterback is still alive between Louisville transfer Harrison Bailey, Aidan Warner and freshman Tramell Jones Jr.

The Gators open the season Aug. 30 against FCS Long Island.

–Field Level Media

Apr 12, 2025; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks to throw before the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Florida QB DJ Lagway (calf) wearing boot to start camp

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Florida starting quarterback DJ Lagway has a calf strain and is not practicing as the Gators’ fall camp kicks off.

Lagway is wearing a walking boot after he hurt his lower leg during a team run last week, Gators Online reported.

Coach Billy Napier did not have a timetable for Lagway’s return when he spoke to reporters Tuesday. Napier said Lagway is day-to-day and showing improvement from a week ago.

“In general, he’s made a lot of quick progress, but it will be something that we’re monitoring,” Napier said. “Hopefully as we go, his ability to participate in practice will be a little bit more with each opportunity that we get going forward.”

It’s the latest health setback for a former five-star quarterback expected to be in the Heisman Trophy discussion this year.

Lagway could not throw during Florida’s spring practices due to a shoulder injury. He said at Southeastern Conference media days earlier this month that he’d be a full participant in fall camp — which was before his latest injury.

“Injuries are one of the tougher things about the profession, and certainly for him being a Year Two player and a really motivated and hungry guy,” Napier said. “So I think he’s done a good job staying connected. I think he still has a voice as a leader. He’s still walking the halls. He’s still able to be a factor in that regard.

“But he’s still a very young player and needs these reps for development as well. When he gets back, he’ll be just fine.”

Lagway was named a freshman All-American in 2024 after throwing for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games. He completed 59.9 percent of his passes as he took over as the starter from Graham Mertz midseason.

Lagway was the No. 1 quarterback in the high school Class of 2024 and the No. 3 overall prospect, according to the 247Sports composite.

The Gators open the season Aug. 30 against FCS Long Island.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) is congratulated by Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier after a series during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 19, 2024 against the Kentucky Wildcats. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Billy Napier: Gators ready for gauntlet schedule, can ‘compete with any team’

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Watching his basketball counterpart cut down the nets at the Alamodome was a moment of euphoria Billy Napier wouldn’t mind experiencing himself in January.

National championship might not have been on the Napier bingo card on Wednesday at SEC Media Days, but the embattled Florida coach didn’t mind leveling up the vision for the Gators in 2025.

“There’s a little something different in the air right now in Gainesville,” Napier said, referring to his team as a “special group.”

“This group believes in what we do. I think that’s where we really took a big step in the right direction last year is we found a level of confidence that we could go toe to toe with any team in the country any place, anytime.”

Napier said there’s in-house evidence the developmental process is working in overdrive. The Gators will be asked to present evidence he’s right with a gauntlet of a schedule that includes this six-game stretch: Sept. 13, at LSU, Sept. 20 at Miami, Oct. 4 vs. Texas, Oct. 11 at Texas A&M, Oct. 18 vs. Mississippi State and Nov. 1 vs. Georgia.

The Gators are counting on quarterback DJ Lagway to lift the offense after a breakout 2024 season.

“Just the competitor on game day is really unique. I think his ability to block out all the external factors and really get consumed with leading the team, playing winning football, executing,” Napier said of what makes Lagway a winner. “And we’ve built around the guy. There’s no question. Players want to play with DJ. We’ve built his class around that and certainly some of these guys that are in the rookie group were a part of that as well.”

Outside expectations are higher for Florida, but not many are starting their SEC Championship winner projections with Napier’s crew given the proven contender status of some of teams standing in the way. Napier’s coaching life cycle in Gainesville has advanced rapidly, even if not always in the direction he would like.

As Todd Golden and the Gators’ basketball team were starting the 2024-25 regular season in November as fringe contenders, Napier was being spared his job by athletic director Scott Stricklin.

At the time, Gator Nation was champing at the bit to have Stricklin swing the other way and take the reported offer from boosters to buy out Napier’s contract. Florida was 4-4 and still had Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and the Florida State rivalry game to get through.

Napier had reason to celebrate when the Gators finished 8-5 and 4-4 in the SEC, defying expectations for a nosedive or worse. He has a 19-19 record in three seasons in Gainesville.

In the process, Napier has a bit more support and a lot bigger expectations.

“I think the important part is what we expect from each other. I think we’ve learned that, right? I think it’s not only — not only do you need to block out noise, but it’s absolutely necessary that you do it,” Napier said. “So I think we’ve got to have high expectations for each other. We see each other every day. I think this is player to player; it’s coach to player, coach to coach, all parts of our organization.”

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gives an injured Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) a hug after the game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The Bulldogs defeated the Gators 34-20. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Florida commits to Billy Napier for ’25; Gators prepare walk-on QB to start at Texas

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Florida head coach Billy Napier was thrown a life raft by athletic director Scott Stricklin on Thursday when he ended speculation about a coaching change by publicly committing to Napier’s return next season.

“UF’s commitment to excellence and a championship-caliber program is unwavering,” Stricklin said in his statement. “In these times of change across college athletics, we are dedicated to a disciplined, stable approach that is focused on long-term sustained success for Gator athletes, recruits and fans.

“I am confident that Billy will meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. We will work alongside him to support any changes needed to elevate Gator football. As college athletics evolves, UF is committed to embracing innovation and strategy, ensuring the Gators thrive in today’s competitive landscape.”

Napier has the Gators at 4-4 entering this week but there’s tough sledding ahead in the SEC with games against No. 5 Texas, No. 14 LSU, No. 16 Ole Miss and the annual rivalry game with Florida State remaining. Napier is 15-18 as Florida head coach and was hired before the start of the 2022 season to replace Dan Mullen.

There are complications for Florida parting with Napier now because the university is operating without a president, and the head coach has a buyout of $20 million.

Florida faces the Longhorns in Austin on Saturday, and the Gators are getting walk-on Aidan Warner ready to make the start because of injuries to Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway.

Lagway left last week’s loss to Georgia and was replaced by Warner, a transfer from Yale. The freshman completed 7 of 22 passes with an interception and was sacked twice.

“I think he’s gotten a little better each day,” Napier said of Warner’s progress. “I think he’s gotten a little more comfortable. He’s obviously taking a few more reps than he normally does.”

The Gators are giving Lagway, who is returning to his home state of Texas, every opportunity to bounce back from a hamstring injury. After being carted off the field against Georgia, Lagway watched the second half from the sideline propped up by crutches.

Asked for an update Wednesday, Napier said Lagway’s situation is “obviously touch and go. Look, the guy’s giving it his best shot.”

But he practiced in what Napier classified as a “limited” capacity on Wednesday and Napier maintained his statement earlier in the week that the leg injury is “less significant” than the team feared.

Mertz is out for the season with a left knee injury. He shared the reps with Lagway before a ligament tear in a loss to Tennessee last month ended his college career.

Saturday would be the fourth college football appearance for Warner. He did not play as a freshman at Yale and is considered a redshirt freshman after compiling 24 career touchdowns at Winter Park (Fla.) high school.

A five-star recruit who starred at Willis, Texas, Lagway had 58 TD passes as a senior and left high school with 129 total touchdowns (100 TD passes). He was the 2023 National Gatorade Player of the Year, 2023 Bobby Dodd National Back (High School Heisman) of the Year, 2023 MaxPreps Player of the Year, 2023 Elite 11 National High School Quarterback of the Year, 2023 National Quarterback Club High School Quarterback of the Year.

Lagway completed 2 of 6 passes for 47 yards and a TD last week and four rushing attempts for 18 yards before he left the game. He is 56 of 92 for 1,071 yards passing with six touchdowns and five interceptions this season. Lagway rushed for 114 yards on 37 carries.

Sophomore wide receiver Eugene Wilson III is also out for the season, Napier said. Wilson, the son of former Illinois safety and 2023 Patriots second-round pick, had hip surgery on Tuesday and faces a four-month recovery. Wilson had 19 receptions for 266 yards and a touchdown this season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin (left) and head coach Billy Napier talk before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Florida coach Billy Napier fighting doubts with enthusiasm

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Modeling enthusiasm in the face of adversity tops the agenda for Florida head coach Billy Napier, who admits he’s concerned about the mindset of younger players during the Gators’ difficult start to the 2024 season.

Florida lost to Texas A&M by 13 points last week in a game where the Aggies rushed for 310 yards and led 20-0 at half despite playing a freshman quarterback. The Gators have a 6-11 record against SEC opponents under Napier.

The “outside noise” has grown to include reports that Florida boosters have raised the funds to pay the $26 million buyout the university would owe Napier if he’s fired.

More was expected of Florida in Napier’s third season which includes six home losses. He said criticism and calls for replacing him as coach “come with the territory.”

In the face of the firestorm, Napier transitioned this week into part coach, part counselor.

“A wise coach once told me you need the right combination of humility and enthusiasm,” Napier said Wednesday. “Our ability to continue with the same enthusiasm independent of the result. … I think what you’re describing is part of the challenge. When you struggle a little bit, can you keep your head in the right place? Especially young people. We have to keep that same enthusiasm, that belief, that hope. I think that’s one of the keys to turning things around.”

Florida (1-2) visits Mississippi State on Saturday before a bye week. With a win, Napier believes the Gators can regroup with a home game against UCF and a visit to No. 6 Tennessee to start October.

Quarterback Graham Mertz said Napier took the blame for the team’s losses this season, but players don’t want to play for anyone else.

“Everybody knows that we can all do our jobs better,” Mertz said. “We’re all in this thing together.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier walks on the sideline against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Florida’s Billy Napier odds-on favorite to be first coach fired

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Florida State head coach Mike Norvell called his team’s 0-2 start to the season a “failure,” but his job remains safe after leading the Seminoles to the ACC title and the brink of the College Football Playoff last year.

The same can’t be said for in-state rival Billy Napier, whose Florida Gators opened with a 41-17 loss at home to No. 19 Miami. It was the Gators’ first loss to the Hurricanes at The Swamp since 2002 and snapped Florida’s 34-game winning streak in home openers.

More important, it dropped Napier’s record to 11-15 since taking over the program as the Gators attempt to rebound from failing to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2017.

Napier was installed as the 4/1 favorite by one sportsbook to be the first coach fired over the summer. After Saturday’s loss, he is now the odds-on favorite at 2/3.

The Hurricanes’ 41 points set a record for the most allowed by the Gators in a home opener, and Florida never led in the contest. After this weekend’s home game against Samford, the Gators play host to Texas A&M on Sept. 14 before kicking off their road slate with games at Mississippi State and Tennessee sandwiching a game against Central Florida.

SportsBetting.ag is offering odds on 19 coaches to be the first fired this season.

FIRST NCAA FOOTBALL COACH FIRED*
COACH, SCHOOL, JULY ODDS, CURRENT ODDS
Billy Napier, Florida, 4/1, 2/3 (-150)
Sam Pittman, Arkansas 5/1, 2/1
Dave Aranda, Baylor 7/1, 7/1
Shane Beamer, South Carolina, 16/1, 12/1
Justin Wilcox, California, 12/1, 12/1
Kalani Sitake, BYU, 10/1, 14/1
Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati, 14/1, 14/1
Dabo Swinney, Clemson, 25/1, 16/1
Neal Brown, West Virginia, 14/1, 16/1
Tony Elliott, Virginia, 16/1, 16/1
Mario Cristobal, Miami 6/1, 20/1
Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh, 12/1, 20/1
Ryan Day, Ohio State, 12/1, 20/1
Clark Lea, Vanderbilt, 8/1, 25/1
Brent Venables, Oklahoma, 33/1, 33/1
Brian Kelly, LSU, N/A, 33/1
Mike Locksley, Maryland, 16/1, 33/1
Deion Sanders, Colorado, 50/1, 40/1
Lincoln Riley, USC, 25/1, 40/1
*Odds by SportsBetting.ag provided for entertainment purposes only.

LSU’s Brian Kelly entered the list at 33/1 following the Tigers’ loss to Southern Cal in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

SEC rival Sam Pittman from Arkansas follows Napier on the list. His odds have shifted from 5/1 in July despite the Razorbacks kicking off their season with a 70-0 drubbing of Arkansas Pine-Bluff last week.

Also moving up the list is Clemson’s Dabo Swinney. Once considered a potential replacement for Nick Saban at Alabama’s, Swinney’s status with the Tigers took a hit with Saturday’s 34-3 loss to top-ranked Georgia.

Miami’s convincing opening win at Florida helped coach Mario Cristobal move from 6/1 to 20/1 by the sportsbook. Cristobal is now 13-13 in his fourth season with the Hurricanes.

Meanwhile, Baylor’s Dave Aranda has held steady at +700. The Bears open their Big 12 schedule at Utah on Saturday after cruising past Tarleton State 45-3 in Week 1.

The other significant movement following the first full week of the season was Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea, who shifted from 8/1 in July to 25/1 entering Week 2 after the Commodores’ overtime upset win over Virginia Tech. That sent Hokies coach Shane Beaner’s odds from 16/1 to 12/1, giving him the fourth-shortest odds to be the first coach fired this season.

–Field Level Media

ASU quarterback Jaden Rashada (5) throws a pass during a spring practice at the Kajikawa practice fields in Tempe on April 16, 2024.

Jaden Rashada sues Florida’s Billy Napier over NIL deal

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Former Florida recruit Jaden Rashada is suing Gators football coach Billy Napier and a prominent booster over a $13.85 million name, image and likeness deal that went awry.

A lawsuit filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida alleges that they made “false and fraudulent promises” to induce Rashada to sign with the program in 2022.

Rashada initially committed to the University of Miami, where he reportedly had a $9.5 million NIL deal on the table. He flipped to Florida after agreeing to a $13.85 million deal with the now-defunct Gator Collective.

The lawsuit claims that Napier promised a $1 million “partial payment” to Rashada’s father when the quarterback prospect signed his national letter of intent, but that the payment never was received.

“As the first scholar-athlete to take a stand against such egregious behavior by adults who should know better, Jaden seeks to hold Defendants accountable for their actions and to expose the unchecked abuse of power that they shamelessly wielded,” states the lawsuit, according to a copy obtained by USA Today.

Florida booster Hugh Hathcock and a former Florida staffer, Marcus Castro-Walker, are named in the lawsuit along with Napier.

“Once Jaden committed to UF, rather than make Jaden ‘rich’ as promised, these people — with Hathcock leading the charge — changed their tune and went back on their word. The amount of UF-affiliated NIL money available for Jaden decreased drastically,” the lawsuit states.

Florida athletic department spokesman Steve McClain issued a statement on Tuesday.

“We do not comment on ongoing litigation, and neither the University Athletic Association nor the University are named in the complaint. The UAA will provide for Coach Napier’s personal counsel, and we will direct all questions to those representatives,” read the statement.

Rashada ended up withdrawing his letter of intent with Florida and enrolled at Arizona State. He appeared in three games for the Sun Devils as a freshman in 2023, passing for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

He transferred from Arizona State to Georgia for the upcoming 2024 season and has four years of eligibility remaining.

–Field Level Media

Jul 20, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks from the stage during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

New coach Billy Napier aiming for a Florida revival

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Billy Napier coached Louisiana to a 33-5 record over the past three seasons to earn his opportunity of Florida’s new coach.

He doesn’t need to be reminded the Gators lost more games (seven) last season than he did over his final three seasons with the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Napier clearly knows there’s work to do after replacing Dan Mullen. But he also doesn’t want to write off chances of excelling right away.

“This 2022 team that we have is a new team, it’s a new year, a new set of challenges and opportunities,” Napier said Wednesday at SEC Media Days in Atlanta. “I think each year each team is its own entity. They got to start over every year.

“This is a first-year staff at a new place with a new roster. We’ve got a lot of players and a lot of staff that are learning our way, right? A lot of new roles. There’s lots of roles to be determined on our team. We’ve got a core group of veteran players. We have a big portion of our team we think has ability, but it’s inexperienced and needs to develop.”

Napier can sense the hurt from a long season lingers.

Florida lost five of its last seven games and gave up 52 points in one of the wins during that span — against FCS opponent Samford.

The Gators lost by 27 points to Georgia, 23 to South Carolina and 12 to non-conference opponent UCF. Florida did lose by just two to Alabama.

“I like this group,” Napier said. “I think they’ve got a chip on their shoulder. They’re excited about the opportunity to earn some respect.”

For the Gators to take a step forward, they will need a big season from quarterback Anthony Richardson.

“I’ve been impressed. I think he’s remained humble,” Napier said. “He’s got a little bit of an edge. I think he wants to prove himself.”

In spot play last season, Richardson completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 529 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s highly dangerous on the ground as he gained 401 yards on 51 attempts — a gaudy 7.9 average — while scoring three touchdowns.

“He has tremendous ability,” Napier said. “He’s working hard to develop, improve as a person, as a leader. He’s working hard to increase his football IQ. His skill is developing. I think he’s prime to have a phenomenal year.”

–Field Level Media