Toosii Commits to Play Football at Syracuse University Next Fall: ‘I’m Coming Home’

Toosii is trading platinum plaques for touchdowns. Following a slew of college visits, the 25-year-old rapper (real name Nau’jour Grainger) announced on Monday (Dec. 1) that he has committed to Syracuse University to play football next fall.

“For every kid who ever had a dream, make it reality,” Toosii wrote on social media to accompany a photo shoot in his new Orange threads. “God’s will is the way and no one can stop it not even the devil. I wanna thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ for even giving me the strength to chase what I believed when so many people told me I couldn’t. Thank you to the people who supported me as well, it never go unnoticed.”

He continued: “To be born in Syracuse and move to North Carolina at age 12 and haven’t been back since. When Coach Fran called, I knew it was a sign from God. So with that being said, Cuse I’m coming home.”

Toosii starred as a wide receiver at Rolesville High School in North Carolina and retained four years of eligibility as a college athlete after graduating from high school in 2018. The rapper was also born in Syracuse, which could’ve played a role in his decision.

He revealed over the summer that he had plans to put music on the back burner and fully commit to training for a potential football career. After recently wrapping up supporting YoungBoy Never Broke Again on his North American arena tour, Toosii announced his plans to play for coach Fran Brown Jr. at Cuse.

Toosii reportedly had multiple options as he received an offer to play at Sacramento State while also making visits to North Carolina State University and Duke University, but ultimately decided to stay close to his roots in Syracuse, where he grew up before moving to North Carolina as a teen.

Toosii, who notched a top-five Billboard Hot 100 hit with 2023’s “Favorite Song,” received plenty of love from his peers and fans for making the pivot from rap to sports, looking to fulfill a childhood dream. DDG, Wallo and Seddy Hendrix were among those cheering him on in his comment section on IG.

Listed at 5’8″, 165 pounds, Toosii will look to help restore Syracuse football following a lowly 3-9 season in 2025. A representative for Syracuse’s Athletics department declined to answer Billboard‘s request for comment, citing NCAA rules prohibiting comments on prospective student athletes.