Big 12 football: TCU favored for ex-UF 5-Star QB commit Jaden Rashada?

There is a lot of drama on the recruiting trail right now surrounding the pursuit of the former Florida Gators five-star quarterback commit Jaden Rashada, and one Big 12 football program is at the center of it all coming out of the weekend. It looks like new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, head coach Sonny Dykes, and the TCU Horned Frogs are making a big move of late for the elite Pittsburg (CA) signal caller.

According to a report from Jeremy Clark of 247Sports on Jan. 23 (paid content), Rashada has past connections to the recently-hired OC Briles. The former Arkansas Razorbacks offensive coordinator is reportedly set to make the trip out to California later this week to visit Rashada.

Briles apparently recruited Rashada when he was on staff under head coach Sam Pittman at Arkansas. Those early efforts and connections that Briles formed with Rashada and people in his camp could pay off now that he is at TCU and the five-star quarterback is looking for a new collegiate destination.

TCU emerges as a possible Big 12 football destination for former UF 5-Star QB commit Jaden Rashada

This comes as a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Jan. 21 mentioned that a visit to Fort Worth to see TCU next weekend was in the works. It now appears that the official visit is confirmed to be on the books for Rashada to see TCU next weekend.

Rashada was reportedly released from his National Letter of Intent at Florida last week after a NIL debacle that fell through for the Gators.

The former Florida commit is now being courted by the likes of the Arizona State Sun Devils, Colorado Buffaloes, Washington Huskies, Cal Golden Bears, and TCU. Arizona State hosted Rashada for an official visit last weekend.

A report from On3’s Keegan Pope on Jan. 23 (paid content) notes that Rashada’s official trip to Arizona State last weekend “went well”. And it sounds like new head coach Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils are a real threat to land Rashada coming out of this successful visit to Tempe.

However, if the visit to Fort Worth this weekend goes well for Briles and Rashada, then TCU also looks like a legitimate contender in the race to land his commitment. Dykes and the Horned Frogs are looking to replace the Heisman runner-up and starting senior quarterback Max Duggan.

If TCU is able to nab Rashada, he could compete with junior Chandler Morris for the starting quarterback job in 2023.

TCU will have to fight off some spirited pushes from various PAC-12 schools that are closer to home for Rashada, though.

While this recruitment is far from over, TCU and Arizona State have to be considered two of the top schools at the moment in the race to ultimately sign Rashada. But it does look like there is a lot to be decided before this recruitment is wrapped up.