Toosii, Syracuse-Born Rapper, to Join Syracuse Orange Football Program

Rapper Toosii, a Syracuse native, Announced He Will Join Syracuse University Football Program

Syracuse native and platinum-selling rapper Toosii is returning to his roots — not on stage, but on the field. The 24-year-old artist, known for hits like “Love Cycle” and “Favorite Song,” is set to join the Syracuse University football program, the school confirmed Monday.

Toosii, born Nau’Jour Grainger, will enroll as a non-traditional student-athlete and participate as a walk-on for the Orange. University officials said he has been cleared to join the team for offseason activities and will be eligible to compete for a roster spot heading into the 2026 season.

A graduate of Syracuse’s Fowler High School, Toosii played youth and high school football before pursuing music full time. In recent interviews, he has said he always hoped to return to the sport and saw this moment as “a full-circle opportunity.”

“This is home,” Toosii said in a statement released through Syracuse Athletics. “Football was my first love before music. To come back to Syracuse and be part of something bigger than myself is a blessing. I’m ready to work.”

Head coach Fran Brown said the staff was aware of Toosii’s athletic background and commitment. “He’s disciplined, he’s hungry and he understands what it means to represent this city,” Brown said. “If he earns it, he’ll play. That’s true for anyone who walks into our program.”

The move has generated widespread attention on social media, where fans reacted with a mix of surprise and excitement. Some noted the potential for the Orange to gain national visibility, while others praised the rapper for embracing education and athletics.

Toosii rose to fame after relocating to North Carolina and signing with South Coast Music Group, later breaking out nationally with a series of mixtapes and charting singles. Despite his success, he has frequently referenced his Syracuse upbringing and maintains strong ties to the city.

The rapper is expected to arrive on campus later this month. Syracuse officials declined to comment on potential name-image-likeness (NIL) implications but said details about his enrollment and athletic status will be finalized in the coming weeks.

If he makes the roster, Toosii would become one of the few nationally recognized recording artists to play NCAA Division I football in the modern era.