DESTIN — Florida football coach Billy Napier said he’s “comfortable” with his role in the recruitment of former signee Jaden Rashada.
Rashada is suing Napier, among others, seeking $10 million in damages for a failed name, image and likeness deal worth more than $13 million that became a black eye for the Gators and spurred an NCAA investigation subsequently put on hold.
Speaking for the first time since the lawsuit was filed May 21, Napier declined to discuss the specifics of the litigation, which also included mega booster Hugh Hathcock and the football program’s former NIL director Marcus Castro-Walker.
“I am comfortable with my actions,” he said while attending the SEC spring meetings in Destin. “I’m thankful for the university’s support. We’re gonna … let the process take its course.”
Napier said he was unaware of the lawsuit until reports surfaced that Houston-based attorney Rusty Hardin had filed a 37-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola.
“It was first uncovered in the media,” Napier said.
Rashada’s recent transfer to Georgia added another unexpected twist. After UF released Rashada from his letter of intent, he transferred to Arizona State. But after one season, the quarterback transferred to Georgia.
Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said Rashada told him May 20 that he planned to file the lawsuit the next day. Smart said he told him it was between the 20-year-old, his representatives and family.
The Gators are scheduled to face the Bulldogs on Nov. 2 in Jacksonville.
“It’s a sign of the times, possibly,” Smart said. ” I don’t get really caught up in that. I worry about what’s in my little bubble at Georgia. That’s outside the bubble.”
Napier said he’s confident the lawsuit will not derail the momentum gained since he made sweeping changes to his…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/billy-napier-comfortable-handling-jaden-171600476.html
Author : Orlando Sentinel
Publish date : 2024-05-28 17:16:00
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