5-star quarterback Jaden Rashada to visit Arizona State football this weekend, report says

Earlier this week, a site speculated about the Arizona State football team as a possible landing spot for quarterback Jaden Rashada, if the 5-star QB was granted a release from Florida, where he had signed his National Letter of Intent last month.

That speculation is coming at least a little closer to reality.

Rashada was officially granted a release from the Florida Gators on Friday, opening the door for him to attend college elsewhere.

Arizona State will reportedly be his first visit.

247 Sports' Brandon Huffman reported Friday that Rashada will spend the weekend at Arizona State, starting Friday, on an unofficial visit.

Rashada is the No. 6 QB prospect in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports.

More:Arizona State football listed as possible next team for 5-star QB Jaden Rashada

Arizona State has connections to Jaden Rashada

Rashada's father, Harlen, played defensive back at Arizona State between 1992 and 1994.

New ASU coach Kenny Dillingham recruited Rashada when Dillingham was Oregon's offensive coordinator.

Earlier this week, 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong wrote that ASU could "push hard" for the quarterback from Pittsburg (Calif.) High.

"Arizona State is a program that one would think will definitely push hard for Rashada," Wiltfong wrote. "New head coach Kenny Dillingham recruited Rashada when he was the offensive coordinator at Oregon and has a long-standing relationship with the blue-chip signal-caller and his family. The Sun Devils did not sign a quarterback this senior class but did land former Notre Dame starter Drew Pyne from the transfer portal. Under Dillingham’s watch, Oregon boasted the nation’s No. 6 offense this past fall, churning out over 500 yards per game. Bo Nix blossomed into one of college football’s top passers and the Ducks ranked No. 5 nationally in pass efficiency offense and No. 10 in scoring. Rashada’s father, Harlen, played defensive back at Arizona State in the early 1990s."

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Jaden Rashada threw for 5,275 yards at Pittsburg last season, with 59 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

More:ASU football prediction: Sun Devils will win just 3 games under Kenny Dillingham in 2023

Why did Jaden Rashada ask for his release from Florida?

The Associated Press detailed Rashada's falling out with Florida in a recent story.

It wrote: "Rashada’s decision came after the Gator Collective — an independent fundraising group that’s loosely tied to the university and pays student-athletes for use of their name, image and likeness — failed to honor a four-year deal worth more than $13 million, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side acknowledged the split publicly. ... Rashada switched his verbal commitment from Miami to Florida on Nov. 10. Rashada, his representatives and the Gator Collective had presumably agreed to terms on a lucrative NIL deal at the time of his flip. One of Florida’s top boosters, millionaire businessman Hugh Hathcock, tweeted 'Tomorrow will be a Great Day Gator Fans!!!' the night before Rashada’s announcement. The following day, less than five hours before Rashada publicly announced his flip, Hathcock tweeted 'All Good!!! Just a little longer!!!' The deal fell apart less than a month later."

The Associated Press report continued: "The Athletic reported that Gator Collective CEO Eddie Rojas sent a termination letter to Rashada and his reps on Dec. 7. It’s unclear why the deal crumbled, but a source with knowledge of the negotiations told the AP that not all of the financial backers were aware that the signed deal had increased from roughly $5 million over four years to more than $13 million. Rashada failed to enroll with other signees days after playing in a Jan. 3 all-star game in nearby Orlando. The 19-year-old eventually returned to the West Coast."

More:Arizona State football ranked No. 1 in college football transfer portal recruiting ranking

How would Jaden Rashada fit in at Arizona State?

Drew Pyne recently transferred to ASU from Notre Dame and could currently be in line to start the season for the Sun Devils.

He threw for 2,021 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Fighting Irish last season. He had six passes intercepted.

Pyne completed 64.6% of his passes last season and went 8-2 as the starting quarterback. He had a 4-1 record against teams in the Top 25.

The Sun Devils' QB room also includes Marana product Trenton Bourguet, a redshirt senior who took over as Arizona State's starter last season and went 145-for-204 for 1,490 yards and 11 touchdowns, with six passes intercepted, and Chandler High product Jacob Conover, a transfer from BYU.

One site recently ranked Arizona State's quarterback situation for next season as No. 10 in the Pac-12.

Schedule:Arizona State football to host 8 games in 2023 season

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jaden Rashada, 5-star QB, to visit Arizona State football, report says