Florida's Napier 'comfortable' with actions in recruiting Rashada

Florida's Billy Napier says he's not concerned by the lawsuit former Gators signee Jaden Rashada filed last week, which alleges the head coach was among a group that defrauded the quarterback of millions by backing out of a $13.85-million NIL deal.

"I'm comfortable with my actions," Napier said Tuesday during the SEC spring meeting, according to CBS Sports' John Talty.

"I can't comment on specifics due to the litigation. But we're very confident in our legal team, very comfortable with my actions, and very appreciative of the university's support," Napier added, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Rashada, now at Georgia, filed a lawsuit last week that names Napier, Gators booster Hugh Hathcock, and former football staffer Marcus Castro-Walker among the parties who fraudulently induced the high school quarterback to sign with the Gators in 2023 with no intention of following through with financial compensation.

The complaint says that Napier informed Rashada that he'd receive a $1-million payment if he committed to Florida during the early signing period. Rashada backed out of the agreement prior to the team's first practice after the $13.85-million NIL deal fell through and, according to the lawsuit, he'd only received $150,000 despite promises that Hathcock and the booster's NIL collective would "make good" on the full value of the scrapped deal.

The California native joined Arizona State for his freshman year last season. He transferred to Georgia in April.

"We do not comment on ongoing litigation, and neither the university athletic association nor the university are named in the complaint," Florida athletic department spokesman Steve McClain told On3's Pete Nakos.

The Gators posted a 11-14 record with the 44-year-old Napier at the helm over the past two seasons.