He Had a Million on the Table… Now He’s at a Smaller School. What Happened?
He Had a Million on the Table… Now He’s at a Smaller School. What Happened?
Let’s talk about Jaden Rashada for a second. Big-time quarterback. Tons of hype. At one point, he had a reported $13 million NIL deal lined up. Yep, million—with an M. He had coaches fighting for him, fans watching his every move, and boosters throwing numbers around like Monopoly money. First he committed to Miami, then Florida. The numbers got bigger, the promises got bolder.
But when that multi-million-dollar NIL deal in Florida fell apart? So did the plan. He had to ask for a release. Transferred. Again. Landed at Arizona State, then moved again—now he’s at Sacramento State. Just take that in for a minute. This isn’t to say Jaden won’t have a great career, because he absolutely might. But his story is one of those moments where we as parents have to pause and ask:
"Are we chasing the money, or are we building a foundation? "
NIL Money Is Real—But So Are the Risks It’s easy to get excited when the numbers are flying. $100K here, $250K there. You’re thinking about tuition, debt, maybe even a new car for your athlete who’s been grinding since they were seven. But NIL isn’t just a check—it’s a contract. And sometimes, it’s tied to expectations your child might not be ready for. In Jaden’s case, the deal was tied to a booster-run collective. When the funding got shaky? So did everything else. One minute, he’s at a top SEC school. The next, he’s hitting reset again.
What Can You Do as a Parent? This new world isn’t just for the athletes. It’s for us too. We’ve got to ask better questions, slow the process down when needed, and help our kids see the bigger picture—not just the check. Here are some things to think through:
🟡 Is the school and coaching staff solid even without the NIL money? If the deal disappeared tomorrow, would your kid still want to be there?
🟡 Have you talked about transferring? Not just once, but really talked. Every move comes with consequences—class credits, team chemistry, even mental health.
🟡 Do you know who’s making the NIL offer? If a booster or a third-party group is putting up the money, get a lawyer to look over everything. No shade, but not everyone has your kid’s best interests in mind.
🟡 Are you building a team around your kid? That includes a rep or advisor who will tell them no when needed. Because once that first check hits, things get real fast.
Nobody thinks their kid will be the one caught in the mess until they are. Jaden’s story isn’t just about a missed NIL deal—it’s about how fast things can spiral when a plan isn’t grounded in reality.
If you’re not sure where to start, that’s OK. We built the NIL Worth A Mil Network for exactly this reason. It’s a place to learn, ask questions, and avoid the trial-and-error path that some of these families are learning the hard way. Your athlete’s future deserves more than vibes and a cash offer. Let’s set them up to win the long game.
