Jaden Rashada expresses enthusiasm for his participation in Sacramento State's football team.

There ain't no rest for the wicked: Jaden Rashada's tumultuous college football journey

Fame followed quarterback Jaden Rashada like a shadow, yet his traveling troubadour act has led him to Sacramento State, his fourth stop on the collegiate gridiron. With a past riddled with high-profile recruitment, transfers, and legal disputes, Rashada is hoping to find solace in the norcal sun.

"Sac State's offensive game is just what the doctor ordered," claimed Rashada, letting the cat out of the bag to CBS Sports. "The Go-Go Offense they're known for? High tempo, passing plays galore? It's a match made in heaven."

The Portland native might be yearning for a stable playing ground, but his college football legacy has been a wild rollercoaster ride. A former five-star recruit, Rashada's journey took a sour turn at Florida when a $14 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreement with a booster fell apart, leading to a lawsuit. No stranger to legal battles, he's suing Florida coach Billy Napier and the booster for breach of agreement.

Once upon a time, Rashada promised to light up the SEC stage at Georgia. However, he took a backseat as third-string behind Carson Beck and Gunner Stockton, leaving the field untouched. Despite the lack of playing time, the experience was invaluable, he later admitted. "Georgia taught me a thing or two," Rashada shared with reporters. "Now I can't wait to light up the scoreboard with Sacramento State."

Armed with a fresh eligibility and the determination to soak up the limelight, Rashada is slated to lead the FCS school that is on the verge of reaching FBS level. "Sacramento State has been looking for their guy, and we've finally found him" declared head coach Brennan Marion. "We want QBs who can be draft picks, starters, and superstars. And Jaden fits the bill perfectly."

As SEC stands for Southeast Conference, FCS stands for Football Championship Subdivision, where Sacramento State currently resides. The Hornets open their season in August against South Dakota State, hoping to breathe new life into their program with the arrival of their savior, Rashada.

With Sac State's potential transformation looming, Rashada is ready for take-off. "It's been a hell of a ride," Rashada confessed. "But I'm pickier nowadays, looking for that right fit and scorching hot space under the spotlight." As Rashada steps onto the field for the first time in August, it remains to be seen whether he'll start the next chapter of his career on solid ground.

Life on the rodeo: Jaden Rashada's college football odyssey

High school: Shuffled between Brentwood (Calif.) Liberty, IMG Academy (Fla.), and Pittsburg High (Calif.), finally landing at Florida before freshman year.
Lost luster: Initial commitment to Miami evaporated. Florida partnership unraveled when a promised $13.85 million NIL deal with the program’s booster broke down, leading to litigation against coach Billy Napier.
Arizona State (2023): Broke into the headlines as the first true freshman Week 1 starter in ASU history. Played four games, racking up 485 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions before suffering an injury that ended his season.
Georgia (2024): Transferred to the Bulldogs but never saw action, serving as third-string QB behind Carson Beck and Gunner Stockton.
Sacramento State (2025): Committed in April, seeking a stable environment with a premier coaching staff and a dynamic offense. Prepares to lead a FCS program on the brink of ascending to the FBS ranks.
NIL Lawsuit: At the center of a lawsuit with Florida football and a booster. Sought $14 million in the breach-of-contract suit. Legal battles against coach Billy Napier and the booster continue.

Rashada's chaotic career exemplifies the intricacies of NIL deals and the unpredictable nature of high-profile college football quarterback transfers. Despite the off-field drama, the fiery-eyed quarterback remains laser-focused on taking Sacramento State to the promised land. Let the games begin.

Jaden Rashada's college football journey continued with a transfer to Sacramento State, joining a team known for its high-tempo passing game, the 'Go-Go Offense'.
With his Freshman season at Arizona State cut short due to injury, Rashada hopes to find stability and lead Sacramento State, a FCS school on the brink of ascension to the FBS ranks.
Rashada's past includes a contentious legal dispute over a $14 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreement with a Florida booster and coach Billy Napier.
As he prepares to step onto the field for Sacramento State in August, Rashada aims to light up the scoreboard, as he did at Georgia, where he served as third-string behind Carson Beck and Gunner Stockton despite lacking playing time.
In American-football terminology, the SEC represents the Southeast Conference, while the FCS stands for the Football Championship Subdivision, where Sacramento State currently plays, and FBS represents the highest level of NCAA Division I Football.