Jaden Rashada

The Georgia-UMass game is very important for several Dawgs

Key inexperienced players will get valuable playing time in the Georgia vs. UMass game

The Georgia Bulldogs’ Week 13 game against UMass Minuteman could be overlooked because of an inferior opponent. However, the Georgia-UMass game can show us the future at positions where the starters are more than likely headed to the NFL after this season.

Additionally, it will offer an opportunity for many players to get valuable reps. What positions and players will we be watching the most closely?

Quaterback

Carson Beck is more than likely heading to the NFL after this season. This leaves Georgia with questions at the most important position on the field next season. Who is going to step up and lead the Georgia offense in 2025?

There are two quarterbacks on the roster who we think could start nest season. The first one is redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton. Stockton (31 career pass attempts) has been apart of the program for the last three years, so he knows Mike Bobo’s system and the personnel well.

The other player is redshirt freshman Jaden Rashada who came into the program through the transfer portal. Rashada (82 career pass attempts) already has a season of experience with Arizona State. Rashada is a wildcard because he has not been on the roster long, but head coach Kirby Smart took a chance on him for a reason.

Of course, Georgia could look to the portal or to a true freshman to start at quarterback in 2025 as well.

Edge Rusher

Mykel Willams and Jalon Walker have caused problems for opposing teams this season, but now the question is who will be the next edge rusher for the Bulldogs.

A player to watch at is sophomore linebacker Damon Wilson. Wilson posses great speed, a relentless motor, and the attitude the head coach Kirby Smart wants out of his edge rushers. Wilson will have an opportunity to showcase his ability in expanded playing time this Saturday.

The quarterbacks behind Carson Beck

Carson Beck’s sloppy play has led many Georgia football fans to wonder who could start over him.

One big takeaway from the Georgia Bulldogs’ 34-20 win over the Florida Gators was the play of quarterback Carson Beck, who threw three interceptions.

He threw two touchdowns to win the game, but his turnovers caused the defense to be backed up in Georgia territory a few times. That allowed Florida to score on short fields and stay ahead for the majority of the game.

You could make a legitimate argument that the Gators would’ve won the game if it weren’t for second-string quarterback DJ Lagway going down with an injury, and Beck was a big reason.

Unfortunately, turnovers have hurt Beck all season. Since Week 2, Beck has more interceptions than touchdowns (10 touchdowns, 11 interceptions). This is the second game in a row in which he’s had three interceptions. While you can somewhat understand the struggles in the Texas game because of the stout secondary he played against, Florida had two defensive backs out for this matchup.

Fans are left feeling unsatisfied after the win and unsure if Georgia can remain the top team in the SEC. If UGA loses to Ole Miss and Beck throws multiple interceptions again, fans will be looking for a quarterback change ahead of the Tennessee game.

Here are the options Georgia could choose from should they choose to bench Beck:

Gunner Stockton

The most experienced among Georgia’s backups is sophomore Gunner Stockton. He’s the only one with reps for Georgia. The former four-star recruit has thrown for 238 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in his career.

Looking at the tape from him from high school and college, he has an impressive deep ball, even while scrambling. Sometimes, his footwork can look wonky, but his arm is so strong it doesn’t matter.

Stockton likes targeting the middle of the field and down the sidelines. He can scramble, too. At 6 feet, 1 inch and 220 pounds, he has elite size.

Rashada has more experience starting than Stockton due to his freshman season at Arizona State. Last season, Rashada was the starter for the first two games before suffering an injury that took him out of the lineup until November. He came back for 2023’s last game against Arizona. Overall, he had 485 yards passing, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

The former four-star recruit transferred to Georgia in the summer of 2024. Rashada shows legit mobility and a quick release. Some development will help him go through his reads quicker.

Ryan Puglisi

Puglisi has not yet played for Georgia, but the four-star recruit has shown some solid tape at high school. Puglisi excels at ball placement, and he keeps his eyes downfield when under pressure.

He could improve at holding linebackers and safeties with his eyes. Puglisi can stand to be more accurate, but he has a great arm, which he also used to be a great pitching/shortstop prospect out of New England. Puglisi is the least likely of the Georgia quarterbacks to play due to his lack of college experience.

Billy Napier, pair of codefendants request Rashada lawsuit dismissed

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier claims innocence in the Jaden Rashada lawsuit.

Florida football coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and a pair of codefendants filed motions on Tuesday with the U.S. District Court in Pensacola to dismiss quarterback [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag]’s lawsuit involving a failed name, image and likeness deal worth nearly $14 million.

It is alleged that Napier along with Florida booster/automotive technology businessman Hugh Hathcock and former director of player engagement Marcus Castro-Walker made “false and fraudulent promises” to coerce Rashada to sign with the Gators during the 2022 recruiting cycle.

Napier’s attorney, Henry Coxe III of the Bedell Firm in Jacksonville, Florida, argued in a 29-page response that facts are “sorely lacking from the complaint.”

“Nothing alleged in the complaint supports the notion that Napier participated in any wrongdoing,” Coxe opens. “Nowhere does the complaint adequately allege, for example, that Napier knew about whatever occurred between Rashada, his ‘NIL agents’ and the Gator Collective, LLC.”

The litigation stems from an offer made by UF to lure Rashada away from the Miami Hurricanes with a $13.85 million NIL deal after UM promised him $9.5 million to sign with them — which would be a violation of NCAA bylaws if true.

“In fact, the complaint makes clear that Napier could not have defrauded Rashada, since the sole statement attributed to Napier is alleged to have been made after Rashada had already abandoned the Miami NIL deal.”

Hathcock and Castro-Walker had their own respective attorneys file on their behalf as well.

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Kirby Smart breaks silence on Jaden Rashada lawsuit

Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart has made his first public comments on quarterback Jaden Rashada’s lawsuit

With SEC spring meetings underway in Destin, the pending litigation between Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada and Florida head coach Billy Napier as well as two prominent UF boosters has been a major storyline. Kirby Smart made his first public comments on the situation, a day after Napier and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey did the same.

“I don’t really get caught up in that,” Smart said. “That’s outside of my bubble, and I worry about what’s in my bubble.” Initial reports have stated that Smart gave his approval to Rashada to move forward with the lawsuit, which Smart says he was informed of the day before the announcement.

Rashada’s suit pertains to an NIL deal worth $13.85 million that he claims was promised to him at Florida and backed by Napier and others that went on to fall apart, leading to his transfer to Arizona State in the aftermath. Rashada left the Sun Devils to join Georgia this past April and is seen as a potential heir apparent to Carson Beck following this season.

Billy Napier addresses NIL lawsuit at SEC spring meetings

Billy Napier spoke at the SEC spring meetings in Destin on Tuesday and addressed the topic that has been on everyone’s mind.

Florida football head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] spoke at the SEC spring meetings in Destin on Tuesday and addressed the topic that has been on everyone’s mind.

Last week, it was revealed that former five-star quarterback [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag] filed a lawsuit accusing Napier, along with booster Hugh Hathcock and former Director of Player Engagement and NIL Marcus Castro-Walker, of fraud for failing to follow through on a $13.8 million Name, Image and Likeness deal that Rashada claimed was promised to him during the 2022-23 recruiting cycle.

“I can’t comment due to the litigation,” Napier said. “But I do have confidence in my legal team. I am comfortable with my actions and I am thankful for the university’s support. We’ll leave it at that and let the process take its course.”

Napier also declined to comment about Castro-Walker’s dismissal but remains confident that the lawsuit won’t negatively impact Florida’s recruiting efforts.

“This narrative has been out there a long time,” Napier said. “I think we got that question two years ago, a year and a half ago, and I don’t think it’s necessarily slowed us down.”

When asked how it has impacted the program’s momentum after a strong practice and transfer portal season, Napier was direct in his response.

“I spent about 30 minutes observing our team this morning before coming here. We officially started our offseason program for the summer this morning. That’s what gives me confidence. We executed the first half of the offseason the best we’ve done since we’ve been here. We certainly have evolved, we’ve adapted, and I feel good about our systems. We’ve got credible leadership.”

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey also weighed in on the topic.

“It’s not the only lawsuit involving a coach over the last year,” Sankey told the Athens Banner Herald’s Marc Weiszer. “It won’t be the last. We have a legal system and people have rights to pursue what they view as grievances and the legal system sorts that out.”

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‘I’m comfortable with my actions’, Billy Napier comments on lawsuit from Georgia’s Jaden Rashada

Bill Napier believes he’s in the clear despite lawsuit from Georgia football QB Jaden Rashada…

Florida head coach Billy Napier commented on the lawsuit filed by Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada on Tuesday at the SEC’s spring meetings.

“I’m comfortable with my actions,” Napier said, according to On3’s Jesse Simonton. “‘I’m thankful for the university’s support and we’re going to keep it at that and let the process take it’s course.

Napier went on to state that he couldn’t comment specifically about the details of the ongoing lawsuit.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart reportedly gave the Arizona State transfer “his blessing” to move forward with the suit that claims Rashada was lied to in an effort to get him to flip his commitment from Miami to Florida in 2023. Rashada reportedly signed a $13.8 million NIL deal and flipped to the Gators before backing out of his letter of intent after the first payment wasn’t fulfilled.

Napier is named in the suit, along with one of the top Gator boosters, Hugh Hathcock, and former staffer Marcus Castro-Walker.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey was also asked for his thoughts on the Jaden Rashada suit on Tuesday. He thinks there will be more of its kind down the road.

“I’m not a fan of lawsuits,” Sankey said. “That’s what I think. It’s not the only lawsuit involving a coach in the last year. It won’t be the last. We have a legal system and people have a right to pursue whatever they view as grievances.”

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey comments on Jaden Rashada’s lawsuit

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey discusses UGA quarterback Jaden Rashada’s lawsuit against Florida coach Billy Napier and others

Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey spoke with the media ahead of the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Florida. Sankey commented on Georgia Bullldogs quarterback Jaden Rashada’s lawsuit against Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier and others.

“I’m not a fan of lawsuits,” said Sankey. “That’s what I think. It’s not the only lawsuit involving a coach in the last year. It won’t be the last. We have a legal system and people have a right to pursue whatever they view as grievances.”

The landscape of college athletics is rapidly changing in the conference realignment, name, image and likeness and transfer portal era. Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart reportedly approved of Rashada’s lawsuit. It will be interesting to see how the lawsuit unfolds in the legal system.

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Another major topic of discussion for Greg Sankey at the SEC spring meetings is availability reports. Teams in the SEC are notoriously murky at discussing injuries. The conference could pursue a more uniform system in the future, so teams don’t try to gain an advantage by avoiding disclosing injuries.

Is Billy Napier in trouble? The Athletic takes a look at Florida’s head coach

We should all be rooting for Billy Napier to exceed expectations next season.

It has been a tumultuous tenure as Florida football’s head coach for Billy Napier, who has presided over two of the three straight sub-.500 seasons the program has posted. With bad decisions coming both on and off the field, the Gators are still struggling to climb out of mediocrity.

The recent news of former quarterback commit [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag]’s lawsuit against [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and two other defendants has taken the wind out of a strong transfer portal season that saw the Orange and Blue finish among the top five schools. Add that dark cloud to Florida’s five-game losing streak to end the 2023 season — missing a bowl berth in the process — and things are stacking up against the third-year skipper.

The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel answered a question in his latest mailbag column whether Napier will be able to rebound from the latest black eye inflicted on the program.

“It’s often hard for me to gauge how a fan base truly feels about its coach because the disgruntled ones are always the loudest. But it does feel like the heat is on Napier after the Gators started 5-2 then lost five straight games to end last season,” Mandel begins.

“As for the Rashada NIL debacle, Napier certainly doesn’t come off well in the lawsuit filed Tuesday. There are few remaining NCAA rules surrounding NIL, but a head coach allegedly promising a kid $1 million to sign is still a no-no.”

Of course, everyone knows that winning cures all ills, which is what Napier has struggled to do.

“It’s more fuel for Napier’s critics, but let’s be honest. If Napier were coming off a 10-win season, Florida fans would be playing all the same cards as Michigan fans last season — there’s no proof he said that, everybody else is doing the same thing, go investigate Mike Norvell, blah, blah, blah. But he’s coming off 5-7, after a 6-7 debut season, so I don’t see a lot of rallying around the coach.”

Florida faces one of the toughest schedules in the nation this fall, which now includes the newly added Texas Longhorns on the SEC slate. Expectations must be tempered and the administration cannot be hasty in jettisoning its head coach.

“It would also be very expensive to fire Napier after just three seasons — his buyout is $25.7 million,” Mandel continues. “Ironically, Florida may have lost the ability to fire him for cause, with the NCAA backing off its investigation into Rashada’s recruitment following February’s preliminary injunction in Tennessee prohibiting the NCAA from enforcing its rules around NIL and boosters.”

But again, it really all comes down to winning.

“If I’m Florida, I’m rooting like heck for Napier to wildly exceed expectations this season, if for no other reason than to break the school’s endless cycle of hiring and firing coaches,” Mandel concludes.

“Napier is Florida’s fourth head coach since [autotag]Urban Meyer[/autotag]’s exit after the 2010 season, following Will Muschamp (2011-14), [autotag]Jim McElwain[/autotag] (2015-17) and [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] (2018-21). Were the Gators to hire yet another coach in 2025, it would mark four straight who lasted four years or less. That’s not a winning formula.”

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Kirby Smart reportedly ‘gave his blessing’ for Jaden Rashada to file lawsuit

Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart ‘gave his blessing’ for Jaden Rashada’s lawsuit against Florida coach Billy Napier, others

John Talty of CBS Sports reports Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart approved of Jaden Rashada’s lawsuit against Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier and others.

“Rashada informed Georgia coach Kirby Smart of his intention to file the lawsuit, according to sources, and Smart gave his blessing,” said Talty. It makes sense Rashada disclosed the matter to Smart because the issue could end up becoming a distraction for Georgia this fall.

Rashada is suing Billy Napier along with Florida booster Hugh Hathcock (and his automotive company) and former Gators staff member Marcus Castro-Walker over a failed name, image and likeness licensing deal that would have paid Rashada $13.85 million. Rashada initially signed with Florida, but was released from his national letter of intent.

Rashada ended up signing with Arizona State. He played for the Sun Devils as a true freshman. Rashada transferred to Georgia this spring to help fortify the Bulldogs’ depth chart at quarterback. Now, he is suing the head coach of Georgia’s top rival in the SEC.

“Hathcock (on behalf of himself and Velocity Automotive), Castro-Walker and Coach Napier orchestrated and executed a fraud upon Jaden and were substantially and knowingly assisted by one another in carrying out the fraud,” Rashada’s lawsuit notes. “Each of their individual schemes would not have succeeded without assistance from one another.”

“We do not comment on ongoing litigation,” said UAA spokesperson Steve McClain in response to the lawsuit.

Georgia is scheduled to play Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada sues Billy Napier over failed $14M NIL deal

Former Florida commit Jaden Rashada is suing Billy Napier and others for failing to make NIL payments on a $14M deal.

Former Florida Gators recruit and current Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada is suing coach Billy Napier and others, claiming they backed out of a nearly $14 million NIL agreement according to a lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

Rashada says in the lawsuit he committed to Florida after turning down offers from other schools in part because Napier promised a $1M partial payment to Rashada’s father shortly before he signed his NLI to attend Florida.

The suit claims this payment was never received, with Rashada alleging seven different counts of fraud – including negligent misrepresentations, tortious interference, aiding and abetting tortious interference, and vicarious liability.

Napier is a defendant along with Florida booster Hugh Hathcock and Marcus Castro-Walker, the former Florida NIL director, who are both accused of interfering with Rashada’s previous commitment to Miami which involved a $9.5 million NIL contract with booster John Ruiz.

The suit claims Florida used “deceitful” promises to flip his commitment from Miami to Florida in order to sign a $13.85 million NIL deal with the Gator Collective.

Rashada eventually ended up at Arizona State, throwing for 485 yards and four touchdowns before transferring to Georgia.

His lawsuit will be watched closely by the college sports community as NIL continues to go unmonitored by the NCAA, creating a landscape described in the lawsuit as the “Wild West.”