Double-platinum rapper Toosii, whose real name is Nau’Jour Grainger and is originally from Syracuse, has committed to joining the Syracuse football team. Grainger shared the announcement on social media on December 1, stating he will play under coach Fran Brown.
He wrote on X, “COMMITTED For every kid who ever had a dream, make it reality. 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. 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 shared pictures of himself in a No. 2 Orange football uniform as part of his announcement. According to the source, these photos were taken during the rapper’s official visit to Syracuse last weekend, where he witnessed the team’s 34-12 season-ending defeat against Boston College.
Grainger, who boasts 4.5 million Instagram followers, previously made an announcement on social media by sharing photos from a recruiting visit he took to Syracuse earlier this year, according to Syracuse.com.
“I’m chasing history,” Grainger said in a previous August 18 X post. “First multi-platinum recording artist to go back to school and play DIVISION I football. Next year I’m gonna be on somebody’s team; mark my words!”
Twelve days later, Grainger was in Maryland for a gameday visit as they played Florida Atlantic. He has been using North Carolina State’s facilities to work out and get into football shape.
Toosii, the 25-year-old rapper whose 2023 hit “Favorite Song” achieved double-platinum status and earned an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best R&B, is temporarily pausing his music career. He is pursuing an opportunity to play Division I football at Syracuse.
Born in Syracuse, Toosii (whose real name is Grainger) lived in Central New York until age 12 before his family relocated to North Carolina, where he played high school football.
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Grainger, a talented wide receiver, honed his football skills during his time at Rolesville High School. He was a notable member of the graduating class of 2018.
In August, the multi-platinum rapper announced on social media that he intends to play Division I football, returning to school to “chase history” as the first multi-platinum recording artist to do so, ESPN reported.
“Next year, I’m gonna be on somebody’s team, mark my words!” the rapper wrote.
The artist visited Maryland, USC, and Duke in November, after first getting an offer from Brennan Marion and FCS Sacramento State in September. During this time, he also put out three new songs: “777,” “Call Me,” and “Please Don’t Go” (featuring NBA Youngboy).
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