Billy Napier addresses NIL, Jaden Rashada fiasco during NSD press conference

Billy Napier is putting the finishing touches on Florida’s 2023 recruiting class during National Signing Day on Wednesday. That class is ranked 14th nationally by the 247 Sports Composite team rankings but missed out on key quarterback prospect Jaden Rashada.

The 4-star QB out of California initially signed a National Letter of Intent with Florida but eventually sought release from the Gators after reports of an NIL deal falling through. On Wednesday, Rashada landed at Arizona State.

During his NSD press conference, Napier addressed NIL and how the team is trying to navigate things moving forward.

“This has created frustrations and issues, we’re aware of that,” said Napier in regards to NIL, per Edgar Thompson with the Orlando Sentinel. “We’re playing a game we’ve never played.” Napier also said he didn’t have an issue with losing certain players following everything that involved Rashada.

Napier added he doesn’t expect the NCAA to investigate the matter and doesn’t foresee Florida’s current NIL laws as an issue for the Gators moving forward. We’ll see how that pans out moving forward.

‘This has created frustrations and issues, we’re aware of that,’ Billy Napier on NIL. ‘We’re playing a game we’ve never played.’

— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) February 1, 2023

Napier says they’ve had “no issues” in terms of losing recruits/players after the Rashada saga. #Gators

— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) February 1, 2023

Billy Napier said he doesn’t anticipate the NCAA looking into the Jaden Rashada situation with #Gators.

— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) February 1, 2023

Napier says he doesn’t think there’s been an issue with Florida’s more restrictive NIL law. #Gators and UF can’t facilitate deals for players, unlike some other states.

— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) February 1, 2023

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.