Posted by The collegiate football journey for rapper Toosii has come to an abrupt end. LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin confirmed on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, that the artist has left the football program, citing a direct conflict between his recent business ventures and NCAA compliance regulations.
During an appearance on the In the Bayou with Tyrann Mathieu podcast, Kiffin explained that the decision for the 27-year-old—born Nau’Jour Grainger—to step away was necessitated by his signing of an endorsement deal with a gambling company. While the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies allow student-athletes to monetize their personal brands, these rules strictly prohibit the promotion of gambling, alcohol, and tobacco products.
“I think he signed with one of the gambling companies to do commercials, and that just doesn’t work in the NCAA,” Kiffin noted during the interview. The coach emphasized that the rapper’s brief stint on the team was a genuine effort rather than a publicity stunt, noting that Toosii had impressed the coaching staff with his athletic ability after joining the squad as a wide receiver in March.
Kiffin acknowledged the difficulty of balancing a high-profile music career with the rigorous demands of collegiate athletics, noting that the rapper faced significant “limitations on what he can make and do” while attempting to maintain both paths. Despite the premature exit, the LSU head coach spoke highly of the experience, stating, “I really enjoyed being around him. It wasn’t a stunt at all. He really wanted to see if he could do it.”
As of now, representatives for Toosii have not provided further comment on the situation. The departure marks the end of a unique crossover experiment that had garnered significant attention in both the sports and music worlds.