ESPN says Demond Williams’ dispute with Washington involves same figure who reportedly impacted Nico Iamaleava’s negotiations with Vols
The NCAA transfer portal has been completely unhinged this offseason, and shows no signs of slowing down.
One of the figures that was allegedly involved in Nico Iamaleava’s NIL negotiations with the Tennessee Vols this past April is said to be involved in the Demond Williams Jr situation with the Washington Huskies, according to ESPN.
Williams recently signed a new deal with Washington, but he’s now trying to exit that deal.
According to Yahoo Sports national college football reporter Ross Dellenger, the deal Williams signed with Washington was worth “about $4 million.”
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, one of the figures involved in advising Williams is Cordell Landers.
Landers, though, denied to ESPN that he’s involved in the situation with Williams.
“Per sources, one person who has contacted schools about Williams is Cordell Landers, who generally refers to himself as an adviser and loomed as one of the central figures in Iamaleava’s departure from Tennessee,” wrote Thamel. “Landers denied to ESPN that he is involved with Williams.”
ESPN reported last spring that Landers helped represent Iamaleava during negotiations with Tennessee (Iamaleava eventually transferred to UCLA).
“Iamaleava’s future is in the hands of his father, Nic, and a trusted family friend named Cordell Landers, a former Florida personnel staffer. Both are representing the quarterback in discussions with schools,” wrote ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Max Olson in April.
The Athletic also reported Landers’ involvement in Iamaleava’s NIL negotiations with Tennessee.
Nico Iamaleava will return to UCLA in 2026
Iamaleava, who sources say “just wanted to play football” during the NIL drama last spring, recently re-signed with UCLA for the 2026 season.
The former Tennessee quarterback battled through injuries and a coaching change at UCLA in 2025, finishing the season as the Bruins’ starting quarterback despite getting banged up significantly during the year.
Iamaleava was a key factor in keeping UCLA’s roster together after head coach DeShaun Foster was fired early in the season.
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