In a stunning career pivot, chart-topping rapper Toosii has declared he is temporarily stepping away from music to pursue a dream of playing American football at the highest collegiate level. The artist, whose real name is Nau’Jour Grainger, has committed to join the Syracuse University team for the 2026 season.
From the Studio to the Gridiron
The 25-year-old musician made the announcement on social media platform X on Monday, framing the decision as a fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. "For every kid who ever had a dream, make it reality," Toosii wrote. He expressed gratitude to his faith and supporters, stating that a call from Syracuse head coach Fran Brown felt like a divine sign. "Cuse I’m coming home," he proclaimed, referencing his return to the city where he was born and raised until age 12.
Toosii's journey back to football has roots in his teenage years. After moving to North Carolina, he played as a wide receiver and kick returner for Rolesville High School, graduating in 2018. It was around age 16 that he began recording music, a pursuit that eventually eclipsed his athletic path. His track "Favorite Song" became a viral TikTok phenomenon in 2023, soaring to number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning double-platinum certification.
The Road to a College Football Scholarship
The rapper, a father of two, had been publicly vocal about his desire to return to the sport. In August, he posted a video of himself training with the caption: "I’m chasing history. First multi-platinum recording artist to go back to school and play DIVISION I football." After tagging recruiters, significant interest followed. He undertook recruiting visits to several institutions, including Syracuse, Duke, and North Carolina State, and confirmed in September he had received a scholarship offer from Sacramento State.
His commitment to Syracuse marks the culmination of this process. The artist, who boasts over four million Instagram followers and recently wrapped up a supporting tour with YoungBoy Never Broke Again, will now trade the stage for the stadium under Coach Fran Brown's guidance.
What This Means for Music and Sport
This move is a remarkable crossover between the entertainment and sports worlds. While celebrities occasionally dabble in sports, a currently successful, double-platinum artist pausing a thriving career to commit to the rigours of top-tier college football is virtually unprecedented. It underscores the powerful pull of unfulfilled childhood dreams and the unique platform athletes and artists now have to redefine their narratives.
Fans of Toosii's music, known for hits like "Please Don’t Go" and "Love Cycle," will have to wait for new material as he focuses on training. Meanwhile, the Syracuse Orange football programme gains a high-profile athlete with a proven work ethic and a massive, ready-made fanbase eager to follow his next chapter. All eyes will be on the 2026 season to see if this audacious dream translates into on-field success.
