What’s Happening
- On December 1, 2025, Toosii — real name Nau’Jour Grainger — publicly committed to play football for Syracuse Orange, the Division I college team at Syracuse University.
- The announcement came after months of speculation: in August 2025, Toosii said he was pausing his music career to pursue a shot at college football. He had been training at NC State Wolfpack in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Background — Who Toosii Is
- Toosii is a 25-year-old American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He was born January 9, 2000, in Syracuse, New York, before relocating to Raleigh, North Carolina around age 13.
- He rose to wide recognition in 2023 with his single Favorite Song, which went viral on TikTok, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and earned double-platinum certification.
- His second studio album, Naujour (2023), further cemented his standing on the charts, debuting at No. 19 on the Billboard 200. His debut album, Poetic Pain (2020), reached No. 17.
- Before his music breakthrough, Toosii played high school football at Rolesville High School in Raleigh, where he was a wide receiver and kick returner.
The Football Turnaround
- Earlier in 2025, Toosii accepted a Division I football offer from Sacramento State Hornets and shared photos of himself in their football uniform.
- He later shifted course and committed to Syracuse University, returning to his birthplace. In a social-media post, he called it a “homecoming” and expressed gratitude to supporters and faith for giving him the strength to chase this childhood dream.
Why It’s Trending
- Unusual Crossover: It’s rare for a mainstream, multi-platinum rap artist in his mid-20s to pivot to Division I college football. The novelty of a high-profile music success story attempting a legitimate athletic comeback has sparked curiosity.
- Nostalgia + Roots: Toosii returning to play for his hometown university — after rising to fame elsewhere — adds a human-interest angle, especially for fans in Syracuse and the broader college-football community.
- Crossover Appeal: His existing fan base from music, combined with potential new attention from sports fans, creates a broad audience. On streaming platforms (e.g. Spotify), Toosii reportedly has millions of monthly listeners — a brand asset that translates well under modern college-sports marketing and name, image, likeness (NIL) frameworks.
What We Know So Far
- Toosii — born Nau’Jour Grainger — is a 25-year-old rapper and songwriter, known for hits like “Favorite Song” and albums like Naujour.
- He played high school football as a wide receiver and kick returner at Rolesville High School in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- In 2025, after training and receiving football offers, he committed to play for Syracuse University’s football team, announcing on social media that he’s returning to his hometown.
- The move marks a pause in his music career — at least temporarily — as he shifts focus to college athletics.
What’s Next to Watch
- Eligibility and Playing Time: It remains to be seen how much playing time Toosii will get with the Syracuse Orange, or how coaches will integrate him with a full roster of traditional recruits.
- Balance of Music and Football: Whether he’ll fully pause music or attempt to balance both during college — and what that could mean for his career trajectory in either field.
- Impact on NIL & Branding: Toosii’s fame and following make him a high-profile example of modern name/image/likeness dynamics in college sports — potentially influencing how other artists or celebrities consider similar transitions.
FAQ: Toosii’s Football Commitment and Google Trends Surge
Who is Toosii?
Toosii, born Nau’Jour Grainger, is an American rapper and singer known for hits like Favorite Song, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Why is Toosii trending on Google?
Search interest spiked after he committed to play college football for Syracuse University, marking a major career shift from music to athletics.
Does Toosii really play football?
Yes. He played high-school football as a wide receiver and kick returner before becoming a full-time recording artist. In 2025, he returned to the sport and accepted a Division I opportunity.
What position will Toosii play at Syracuse?
He previously played wide receiver and kick returner. Syracuse has not yet released an official depth-chart placement for him.
How old is Toosii?
He is 25 years old.
How tall is Toosii?
Google searches include “how tall is Toosii,” though official athletic measurements for his Syracuse role have not yet been released.
What is his real name?
His real name is Nau’Jour Grainger.
Is Toosii quitting music?
He said he is pausing his music career to pursue football, but he has not announced a permanent retirement from recording.
Why Syracuse?
Toosii was born in Syracuse, New York. His commitment is widely interpreted as a return to his hometown roots.
Did Toosii receive other football offers?
Yes. Before committing to Syracuse, he had accepted an offer from Sacramento State and had been training at NC State.
Are there Toosii football highlights?
Searches for “Toosii football highlights” have surged. The only available footage so far is from high-school play and recent training clips; college-level highlights will depend on future game participation.
What triggered the spike in ‘Toosii weight’ and ‘Toosii height’ searches?
Fans and sports analysts are looking for basic athletic metrics as he transitions into a Division I football environment.
Is Toosii eligible to play Division I football at age 25?
NCAA rules allow older student-athletes to compete as long as they have remaining eligibility and meet academic requirements.
Will Toosii’s music career influence Syracuse’s football program?
His large fan base and social-media reach may boost visibility, but Syracuse has not commented on marketing or NIL considerations.
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