A four-star prospect committed to Nebraska has been ruled ineligible for one year by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), effectively ending his high school football career in Florida.
Jailen Hill, a senior at Miami Carol City (FL), was ruled ineligible through Aug. 27, 2027, after an FHSAA investigation found he participated with the football team before he was officially enrolled and lived with a representative of the school’s athletic interests.
Hill, who committed to Nebraska on June 16, transferred from California powerhouse St. John Bosco to Carol City over the summer. According to the FHSAA’s findings, which were obtained by USA TODAY Sports, he began participating with Miami Carol City as early as July 11, more than a month
before he officially enrolled at the school on Aug. 13.
The investigation also found that Hill’s eligibility paperwork was signed by Jessina Wooden, whom the FHSAA said was not Hill’s parent or legal guardian and did not have legal authority to sign the forms on his behalf. The FHSAA said Wooden appeared to be the mother of another Miami Carol City football player and that a lease submitted during the investigation was in her name.
The FHSAA concluded that Hill was living with a representative of the school’s athletic interests, a violation of FHSAA policy unless the person has court-appointed legal guardianship.
The association also determined Hill was permitted to participate without valid EL1, EL2 and EL3 forms and before completing the enrollment process. As a result, Hill was ruled ineligible to participate at any FHSAA member school for one year, beginning Aug. 28, 2026.
The ruling also resulted in significant penalties for Miami Carol City. The school was ordered to forfeit its Aug. 14 game, a kickoff classic win, against West Boca Raton (FL) and its Aug. 21 game against Daytona Beach Mainland (FL). It was assessed $3,700 in total monetary penalties, reprimanded and placed on administrative probation through Sept. 1, 2027.
Miami Carol City reported to the FHSAA that Hill has not participated in team activities since the school reviewed the allegation Aug. 28.
The FHSAA ruling can be appealed within 10 business days of the decision.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Four-star Nebraska football commit suspended for senior year
