National media outlet makes unsavory early season prediction for the Tennessee Vols with Nico Iamaleava no longer on the roster
The national media's outlook for the Tennessee Vols football program in 2025 has rapidly changed in the wake of quarterback Nico Iamaleava's departure from Rocky Top. Iamaleava, who was set to serve as Tennessee's starting quarterback this fall after leading the Vols to the College Football Playoff last season, is expected to enter the NCAA […]
The national media's outlook for the Tennessee Vols football program in 2025 has rapidly changed in the wake of quarterback Nico Iamaleava's departure from Rocky Top.
Iamaleava, who was set to serve as Tennessee's starting quarterback this fall after leading the Vols to the College Football Playoff last season, is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal when the spring window opens later this week.
With Iamaleava no longer on the roster, it leaves redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre as Tennessee's only two scholarship quarterbacks.
As a result of the Vols' inexperience at quarterback, 247Sports is now predicting that Tennessee will lose to Syracuse in the 2025 season-opener in Atlanta.
247Sports has the Volunteers losing 27-20 to Syracuse.
From 247Sports: This matchup got significantly more interesting over the weekend following Tennessee's decision to move on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who led the Vols to their first College Football Playoff appearance last season. Iamaleava and his representatives wanted an NIL boost ahead of the new campaign, nearly doubling his current contract of $2.5 million and Tennessee balked at the idea. Now, the Vols are vulnerable at the position with only two scholarship options coming out of spring in need of another body. The loss of Iamaleava could have a substantial impact on the Vols and Syracuse is coming off a 10-win season under Fran Brown. Redshirt sophomore Rickie Collins recently landed the Orange's QB1 following the exit of record-setter Kyle McCord to the NFL.
It's obviously far too early to be making predictions about who will win college football games this fall. Rosters will change, injuries will occur, and depth charts will be adjusted (plus there's the fact that predictions are completely meaningless).
Still, it's interesting to see that the national media's outlook for the Vols has drastically changed with Iamaleava no longer under center.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel seems confident that the Vols will still be able to compete for a championship without Iamaleava. Perhaps he can use the early prediction from 247Sports as a rallying cry for his team.
Former Tennessee Vols QB Harrison Bailey gets asked about the Nico Iamaleava situation
It’s a big topic in college sports
