While athletes sometimes switch sports, artists rarely make the leap to athletics. Rapper and singer Toosii is breaking that trend, announcing his commitment to play college football.
The artist, whose legal name is Nau’Jour Lazier Grainger, will join the Syracuse Orange football team. He confirmed the decision in a social media post on Monday.
Toosii rose to fame as a hip-hop, trap, and alternative R&B artist. His career launched in 2017, but his major breakthrough arrived in 2023 with the hit single “Favourite Song.” The track peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned double-platinum certification. While his subsequent album “Naujour” had mixed results, his music career continued.
This August, Grainger announced a dramatic shift. He stated he would pause his music career to pursue his teenage dream of playing college football. In his Monday announcement, Toosii made his destination official. “COMMITTED. For every kid who ever had a dream, make it a reality,” he wrote in a lengthy message.
Grainger explained the deep personal connection. He was born in Syracuse but moved to North Carolina at age 12. Returning to play for his hometown team represents a full-circle moment.
“When Coach Fran [Brown Jr.] called, I knew it was a sign from God,” Toosii said. “So with that being said, Cuse, I’m coming home.”
The transition presents a significant challenge. Grainger does not appear in major NCAA prospect recruiting databases. Rivals.com lists him as a wide receiver prospect and notes previous visits to Duke, Maryland, and Sacramento State.
He now joins a Syracuse program seeking a major turnaround. The Orange finished the recent season with a 1-7 record in the ACC conference and a 3-9 overall record. The team’s season derailed after an injury to starting quarterback Steve Angeli, who is expected to return in 2026. Toosii’s potential impact on the field will become clear in the fall of 2026.
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