Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada is making a move once again as he reportedly prepares to enter the transfer portal for the second consecutive season. The redshirt freshman’s decision comes shortly after the Bulldogs suffered a quarterfinal loss to Notre Dame, eliminating them from the College Football Playoff. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Sunday.
Rashada, who transferred to Georgia from Arizona State, where he spent his true freshman season, has had a tumultuous journey in college football. During his time at Arizona State in 2023, he appeared in four games, completing 44 of 82 passes for 485 yards, along with four touchdowns and three interceptions. His father, Harlen Rashada, also has a connection to Arizona State, having played for the Sun Devils from 1992 to 1994.
After Rashada’s departure from Arizona State, the program added Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt and went on to reach the CFP quarterfinal. Meanwhile, the young quarterback’s transfer history has been eventful, with his impending move marking his fourth program change since graduating as part of the 2023 recruiting class.
Rashada’s college journey began with a commitment to Miami in June 2022, choosing the Hurricanes over other prominent schools such as Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. However, he later switched his commitment to the Florida Gators in November 2022 after signing a significant contract with the Gator Collective, a now-defunct NIL collective for Gators athletics.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding his move to Florida, Rashada encountered issues with his reported NIL deal going unpaid, leading to his request for release from the Gators in January 2023. Subsequently, he took legal action against Florida head coach Billy Napier over the matter, setting off a legal dispute that is currently ongoing.
In his time at Georgia, Rashada faced challenges in securing playing time, serving as the third-string quarterback behind Gunner Stockton and backup Ryan Puglisi. His opportunity arose following the season-ending injury to Carson Beck in the SEC championship game, but he did not see game action during the 2024 season.
According to the 247 Sports Composite Rankings, Rashada was a highly regarded recruit in the 2023 class, being ranked as the No. 81 overall prospect, the No. 7 quarterback, and the No. 6 player in California. Hailing from Pittsburg High School in California, Rashada received a total of 32 reported scholarship offers during his recruitment process.
As Jaden Rashada looks ahead to his next collegiate destination, his journey in college football continues to be marked by twists and turns, with each chapter adding new layers to his story. His decision to enter the transfer portal once again underscores the unpredictable nature of the sport and the importance of finding the right fit for both student-athletes and programs.
