Miami’s two biggest in-state competitors are currently the subject of an NCAA inquiry.
First, the NCAA imposed punishments relating to NIL against the Florida State Seminoles on July 11. Along with a three-year relationship termination and a two-year probationary period, their Level II violations also resulted in the suspension of offensive coordinator Alex Atkins for three games. Over the following two years, FSU will also forfeit a total of five football scholarships.
It was the Florida Gators’ time to take centre stage eight days later. The Tampa Bay Times’ Matt Baker was the first to announce that the University of Florida was the subject of an NCAA inquiry on June 9. According to reports, the probe is related to the failed NIL agreement that former Miami Hurricanes player Jaden Rashada was promised.
Rashada switched his commitment from Miami to Florida in November 2022, citing the Gator Collective’s $13 million name, image, and likeness deal as the reason. The group did not keep their end of the bargain. After his national letter of intent expired, Rashada signed a contract with Arizona State.
As a senior in high school, Rashada was a finalist in the elite Elite 11 quarterback competition and was a unanimous 4-Star recruit.
We have not yet decided what penalties Florida will face. Viewed as a third-party fundraising organization, the Gator Collective has now disbanded. The degree of any penalties Florida receives will probably depend on whether the NCAA is able to establish any connection between any members of the administration or football team at Florida and misconduct.
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