12/02/25 01:04:00
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12/02 13:02 CST Multi-platinum rapper Toosii has committed to playing football
at Syracuse
Multi-platinum rapper Toosii has committed to playing football at Syracuse
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
Rap artist Toosii is taking time off from his multi-platinum music career by
going forward with his dream to pursue football after saying he has committed
to Syracuse University.
The 25-year-old made the announcement in a message posted Monday on social
media, and a person with knowledge of the decision confirmed Toosii's
commitment to The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on the
condition of anonymity because Syracuse has not released that information.
It's unclear whether Toosii has been offered a scholarship, or will join the
team as a walk-on.
"COMMITTED. For every kid who ever had a dream, make it reality," Toosii wrote,
before indicating he received interest from Syracuse coach Fran Brown. "When
Coach Fran called, I knew it was a sign from God. So with that being said, Cuse
I'm coming home."
Toosii was born Nau'Jour Grainger and grew up in Syracuse before relocating to
Raleigh, North Carolina. He played receiver in high school, and began exploring
his return to football this summer by making an official visit to Maryland in
August.
As part of his announcement, Toosii posted pictures of him wearing a No. 2
Orange football uniform. The person said the photos were taken during the
rapper's official visit to the school last weekend, during which he attended
Syracuse's season-ending 34-12 loss to Boston College.
Toosii put football on hold to focus on his music career in 2017. He broke
through in 2023 with the single "Favorite Song," which peaked at No. 5 on the
Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. Each of his two
studio albums, "Poetic Pain" (released in 2020) and "Naujour" (2023), broke
into the top 20 on the U.S. music charts, with "Naujour" earning a gold
certification.
The singer and songwriter has collaborated with the likes of Wiz Khalifa,
DaBaby and Khalid.
Syracuse finished 3-9 in Brown's second season as coach. The Orange closed
losing their final eight games in a skid that began after starting quarterback
Steve Angeli was sidelined for the season with a torn left Achilles tendon.
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