In a surprising turn of events, multi-platinum rapper Toosii is stepping away from his successful music career to pursue his long-time dream of playing college football. The 25-year-old artist announced his commitment to Syracuse University via social media on December 2, 2025. This decision has been confirmed by a source close to the situation, although Syracuse has yet to make an official announcement.
Toosii, born Nau’Jour Grainger, grew up in Syracuse before moving to Raleigh, North Carolina. He previously played as a wide receiver in high school and has been exploring a return to football since this past summer, even making an official visit to Maryland in August. His commitment to Syracuse came after expressing interest from head coach Fran Brown, which Toosii described as a “sign from God.”
“COMMITTED. For every kid who ever had a dream, make it reality,” Toosii shared in his announcement, showcasing his passion for the sport. He also posted photos of himself in a Syracuse football uniform, taken during his recent visit to the campus, where he attended the Orange’s season-ending loss to Boston College.
While it’s not yet clear whether Toosii will receive a scholarship or walk on as a player, his decision marks a significant shift in his career. He paused his football aspirations in 2017 to focus on music, which has since taken off. In 2023, his single “Favorite Song” reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Rap Songs chart. His albums, Poetic Pain (2020) and Naujour (2023), both made it into the top 20 on U.S. music charts, with Naujour achieving gold certification.
As Syracuse looks to rebuild after a challenging season, which ended with a 3-9 record, the addition of Toosii could bring a fresh dynamic to the football program. The Orange are eager for a turnaround after losing their last eight games, largely due to the injury of starting quarterback Steve Angeli.
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