Quarterback Jaden Rashada’s recruitment process was one of the most scrutinized and talked-about stories in college football recruiting over the past few years. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound dual-threat quarterback from Pittsburgh, California, was one of the highest-rated quarterbacks in the 2023 recruiting class and held a considerable amount of interest from many college football programs across the country. His journey to college football, however, has not been a typical one, especially when it comes to his relationship with the Georgia Bulldogs. Despite the Bulldogs being one of the top programs in the nation under head coach Kirby Smart, Rashada never ended up playing for Georgia. In fact, there are several factors that played into why the five-star recruit did not work with Georgia, and understanding these reasons requires examining the nuances of his recruitment, his relationship with Georgia, and the broader college football landscape.
The first major reason for Jaden Rashada’s decision to not work with Georgia revolves around the Bulldogs’ quarterback room at the time of his recruitment. When Rashada entered the recruiting process, Georgia was in a unique position. The Bulldogs had recently secured back-to-back national championships, and under Kirby Smart, the program had firmly established itself as a perennial powerhouse in college football. However, their quarterback situation was in flux during Rashada’s recruitment. Stetson Bennett, Georgia’s quarterback for their national championship run, was a senior during the 2022 season, and his departure left a void at the most important position on the field. Despite Georgia’s dominance in other areas, the team needed to address their future at quarterback.
In the class of 2023, the Bulldogs were already looking for a quarterback to build their future around. However, with Georgia’s program boasting such immense success, there was an expectation that the quarterback would need to come in and compete with other highly ranked talent to get the starting job. For many top quarterbacks, this type of competition is a major consideration. At the time of Rashada’s recruitment, Georgia had not yet established who would be their starting quarterback in the post-Bennett era. This uncertainty made Georgia less appealing to some high-profile quarterbacks, and Rashada may have preferred to go somewhere where he would have a clearer path to playing time.
In addition to the competition, another key factor that may have contributed to Rashada’s decision to not work with Georgia was the coaching staff’s offensive philosophy and style of play. Kirby Smart’s system at Georgia, while effective, has been widely known for being more focused on defense, a strong running game, and a conservative approach to the passing game. While Smart has certainly evolved as a coach in terms of embracing more dynamic offensive strategies, the Bulldogs’ offensive scheme has historically been run-heavy. This emphasis on the run game and a relatively low reliance on the passing game may not have been ideal for a quarterback like Rashada, who thrives in a more pass-oriented offense where he can showcase his skills as a playmaker.
Rashada’s playing style is one of a dual-threat quarterback, and throughout his high school career, he demonstrated his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. His strength lies in his mobility, ability to extend plays, and make throws on the run. This type of skill set demands an offensive system that emphasizes both vertical passing concepts and the ability to improvise, something that may have been a bit more limited at Georgia. Rashada likely saw the fit between himself and Georgia’s offense as not entirely ideal for his personal playing style, and that could have contributed to his decision to look for other options.
In fact, the quarterback’s recruitment was marked by a battle for schools that could offer him both playing time and an offensive system that would allow him to thrive. Programs like Florida, where he ultimately committed, presented an opportunity for Rashada to play in a system with a greater emphasis on passing and a more open playbook, which fit his style much better. At Florida, Rashada would have the chance to not only compete for the starting quarterback job, but also to work with a coaching staff that was more committed to building an offense around his strengths.
Another significant factor that impacted Rashada’s decision to not work with Georgia was the recruiting pitch from the Bulldogs themselves. While Georgia is undoubtedly one of the most successful programs in the nation, their recruitment of quarterbacks has been known to take a more conservative approach compared to other schools in the SEC. The Bulldogs are selective in their quarterback recruitment, often targeting only the highest-profile talents and being less aggressive in their pursuit of other quarterbacks who may fit their system. During Rashada’s recruitment, Georgia had made it clear that they wanted a quarterback who would be capable of running their system, but they did not necessarily offer the kind of personal recruiting pitch that other schools did.
Some of the other programs pursuing Rashada were able to offer him a more tailored approach, presenting specific plans for how he could contribute to their team and what kind of role he would play within their system. Florida, for example, went all-in on Rashada and sold him on the idea of being a centerpiece of their offense. The coaching staff at Florida developed a strong relationship with Rashada, giving him more personalized attention and making him feel like an essential part of their future. This attention to detail and the sense of being wanted by the program may have been a factor that helped persuade Rashada to choose Florida over other top programs, including Georgia.
Another element of Rashada’s decision-making process involved his family’s influence and the financial aspect of his recruitment. The emergence of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) in college football created new dynamics in the recruiting process, and Rashada’s recruitment was one of the earliest to see significant NIL involvement. While Georgia’s program is wealthy and offers ample resources, the Bulldogs were not as proactive as some other programs in offering NIL deals to recruits. Rashada’s commitment to Florida came with the promise of NIL opportunities, which helped solidify the program as a more attractive destination for the quarterback.
Ultimately, Jaden Rashada’s decision to not work with Georgia was influenced by a combination of factors. First and foremost, the Bulldogs’ quarterback situation and offensive scheme did not align with his skill set or his desire for playing time. The uncertainty surrounding the future at quarterback at Georgia was an issue that likely weighed heavily on Rashada’s mind. Additionally, Georgia’s more traditional and conservative approach to recruiting quarterbacks, combined with their less dynamic offensive style, made them less attractive to a player like Rashada, who wanted to be part of an offense that would allow him to showcase his skills and develop as a dual-threat playmaker.
The competition at Georgia, along with the Bulldogs’ focus on their defense and running game, left Rashada seeking opportunities elsewhere. Programs like Florida presented a clearer path to starting, as well as a more open offensive system. The combination of all these factors ultimately led Rashada to choose the Florida Gators over Georgia, and his decision marks a turning point in his journey to college football. Despite the Bulldogs’ continued success on the field, the program’s approach to quarterback recruitment and its offensive style may have ultimately been too limiting for a player with the dynamic skill set that Rashada brings to the table.
In the end, Rashada’s decision was about more than just which program had the most success or the most powerful brand. It was about finding a place where he could develop, compete, and ultimately succeed as a quarterback. His path to Florida and the choices he made are a reflection of the evolving nature of college football recruiting, where more and more players are seeking out the best possible fit for their skills, rather than simply following the most traditional or established paths. The landscape of college football is rapidly changing, and recruits like Jaden Rashada are beginning to reshape the narrative of what it takes to succeed in the sport.