For most 25-year-olds with platinum plaques, the next logical move is another album or a bigger tour. For Nau’Jour Lazier Grainger better known as Toosii, the Syracuse-born rapper behind the 2023 smash “Favorite Song” it’s strapping on a helmet and chasing a spot in Division I college football.
“I’m gon be the first artist to go back and go D1 for football. I’m pushing myself every day,”
he declared in an August 2025 Instagram post, pairing the statement with footage of him grinding through speed and agility drills. The videos, filmed at and around NC State football facilities, have lit up TikTok and Instagram, drawing millions of views and sparking a crossover conversation that’s as much about eligibility rules as it is about athletic talent.
Before music took over his life, Toosii was just another teenager chasing football glory. He played high school ball before fully pivoting to music a shift that eventually earned him spots on sold-out tours, more than 250 million streams, and a nod in the XXL Freshman Class of 2021. His stage name even has athletic roots: “Toota,” his childhood nickname, got rebranded by teammates into “Toosii” with two I’s “because you need two eyes to see the vision.”
That vision now includes a football comeback. Standing 5’7” and clocking a 4.7-second 40-yard dash (with a goal to get faster), he’s been training since early 2025, working on strength, speed, and conditioning. His sessions aren’t casual they’re daily, with documented drills and workouts posted for public proof.
Not everyone is watching from the sidelines. NFL safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson offered a $100,000 challenge if Toosii could beat him in a one-on-one catch competition. Former NFL star DeSean Jackson, now coaching at Delaware State, extended an open invitation to train with his squad. And Georgia Bulldogs standout safety KJ Bolden publicly endorsed the potential of Toosii.
That mix of encouragement and skepticism mirrors the public reaction. Supporters admire the work ethic. Critics question whether this is a genuine athletic pursuit or a well-crafted publicity play.
The NCAA has no age limit, and precedents exist for older players Heisman winner Chris Weinke played at 28 after a pro baseball stint. But there are rules: Division I athletes get five years to play four seasons once they enroll full-time in college, and they must complete a set of 16 core courses with minimum GPA/test benchmarks. If Toosii never started a college clock, his eligibility could still be intact but if he has, waivers would be needed.
His academic path is another question mark. Toosii has said he left high school at 17; without a diploma, he’d need a GED and possibly additional coursework to clear NCAA standards.
A tweet from X.
If Toosii makes a D1 roster, he’d be the first mainstream artist to pivot back into high-level college football after music stardom a feat even other sport-loving rappers like J. Cole or Flau’Jae Johnson haven’t pulled off in this exact way.
For now, his claim is true as a statement of intent, backed by public training footage and statements from him and high-profile athletes. The rest offers, academic clearance, and roster spots is still open.
The 2025 college football season unfolds, the big question isn’t just whether Toosii can run a faster 40 or catch a pass over an NCAA cornerback it’s whether the paperwork, rules, and a willing coach will line up with the dream.
