Florida Gators Under NCAA Investigation Because Of This Former Miami Hurricanes Commit
Both of Miami's top in-state rivals have been under recent investigations by the NCAA.
First, on July 11th, the NCAA announced NIL-related sanctions against the Florida State Seminoles. They were put on two-years probation, forced to sever their relationship with the Rising Spear Collective for three years, and offensive coordinator Alex Atkins is suspended three games for Level II violations. FSU will also surrender a total of five football scholarships over the next two years.
Eight days later, it was the Florida Gators' turn to enter the spotlight. First reported by Matt Baker from the Tampa Bay Times, the University of Florida has been under NCAA investigation since June 9th. The investigation reportedly stems from the botched NIL deal promised to former Miami Hurricanes commit Jaden Rashada.
In November of 2022, Rashada flipped his commitment from Miami to Florida after the promise of a $13 million dollar name, image and likeness deal from the Gator Collective. The collective failed to honor the deal. Rashada was released from his national letter of intent and ended up signing with Arizona State.
Rashada was a consensus 4-Star recruit and a finalist at the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback competition as a high school senior.
Any sanctions against Florida are yet to be determined. The Gator Collective, now disbanded, was considered to be a third party fundraising group. The severity of any punishments Florida is given will likely be tied to whether or not the NCAA can link anyone within Florida's football staff or administration to wrongdoing.
Refresher on Rashada saga: Miami Loses QB Commitment Jaden Rashada to Florida
