Is there anything worse than going on probation for a player you didn't even get? That's the reality at Florida State, and it could soon be the case at Florida, too.
The NCAA is investigating Florida over its recruitment of quarterback Jaden Rashada, according to a report Friday from ESPN.
Rashada was the source of great controversy this time last year. Considered the first 'horror story' of the NIL era, Rashada flipped from Miami to Florida with the understanding the Gator Collective would put together a package worth up $13 million. Either Rashada misunderstood the situation or the Gator Collective failed to deliver, but either way Rashada never enrolled at Florida and ultimately signed with Arizona State. He appeared in three games for the 3-9 Sun Devils, throwing for 485 yards and four touchdowns.
On Friday, multiple reports indicated the NCAA provided Florida with a Notice of Inquiry back in June of last year, informing the school that it has launched an investigation.
Rashada's name was not mentioned in the letter, but ESPN reported his recruitment in the source. NCAA rules prohibit NIL packages as inducements for prospects to enroll. (The Gator Collective is no longer in operation.)
"We have been and will continue to cooperate with the NCAA," Florida spokesman Steve McClain said in a statement provided to ESPN. "We hold ourselves to high standards of excellence and integrity on and off the field. Because we follow NCAA policies about maintaining confidentiality, we are unable to offer additional comments."
Last week, the NCAA hit Florida State with two years of probation, a 3-game suspension for offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, and forced the school to disassociate from a collective that met with a prospective transfer on a recruiting visit. That player ultimately returned to his original school.
The move was the first of its kind by the NCAA, but it may not be the last.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.