'Tennessee saw the same thing, and that's why he is no longer on the roster' — Paul Finebaum argues factor as to why Nico Iamaleava was allowed to leave
The Tennessee Vols have been lauded by many across the country for their decision to allow QB Nico Iamaleava to leave town amid a dispute over his NIL earnings that has taken center stage nationally. ESPN/SEC Network contributor Paul Finebaum is in the camp of Tennessee as far as who was in the right in […]
The Tennessee Vols have been lauded by many across the country for their decision to allow QB Nico Iamaleava to leave town amid a dispute over his NIL earnings that has taken center stage nationally.
ESPN/SEC Network contributor Paul Finebaum is in the camp of Tennessee as far as who was in the right in the situation. And he offered a take as to why, in part, he couldn't blame Tennessee for making the move.
Finebaum said during a recent ESPN appearance that he believed Tennessee was on the same page as several of his SEC sources around the league: that Nico wasn't high enough on the pecking order of SEC QBs to warrant meeting his demands.
"What's interesting is, he's not that great," Finebaum said. "I talked to various sources around the SEC yesterday, and I said, 'tell me where he ranks out of the 16 quarterbacks in the SEC', and they said, 'somewhere between six and eight'. Tennessee saw the same thing, and that's why he's no longer on the Tennessee roster this morning."
Call it pecking order, ranking, or whatever you like, but the bottom line is about whether or not Nico was good enough to warrant the money he allegedly sought, which was in the range of $4 million. Prime Cam Newton? Or even a Cam Ward type of season last year? Yeah, perhaps we're talking then.
Personally, I'd have put Nico well higher than 8th in the SEC, and even higher than 6th. I think he is a good quarterback who could have taken a significant step forward in year two as a full-time starter.
However, the numbers in 2024 didn't warrant the alleged demand. The Vols made the playoff in large part on the back of RB Dylan Sampson's historic season and a defense loaded with NFL talent up front that kept 10 of 13 opponents from reaching 20 points.
There's no doubt that Nico competed hard and took a beating at times, but the numbers and production weren't there. At least not $4 million worth of production.
So, call it hierarchy, or call it what it was: simply not being worth the dollar value that was allegedly sought. The Vols weren't willing to do it, and it was the right call.
Steve Spurrier weighs in on the Tennessee — Nico Iamaleava split
The ex-Gator head coach made his feelings clear on the dispute
