Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava learned something important about Vols fans this week
Tennessee Vols starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava knew when he committed to UT in early 2022 that fans in Knoxville are passionate. Iamaleava experienced that passion in person when he visited Tennessee for a Vols basketball game against Arkansas before announcing his commitment nearly two years ago. UT fans chanted "We want Nico" with Iamaleava and […]
Tennessee Vols starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava knew when he committed to UT in early 2022 that fans in Knoxville are passionate.
Iamaleava experienced that passion in person when he visited Tennessee for a Vols basketball game against Arkansas before announcing his commitment nearly two years ago.
UT fans chanted "We want Nico" with Iamaleava and his family in attendance. The fan-led chant made quite made quite the impression on Nico's mom.
On Tuesday, news broke that Nico Iamaleava is at the center of an NCAA investigation into Tennessee's NIL dealings.
It's still to early know to know how the investigation will impact Nico and the Vols (if it does at all). But one thing we do know, and that Nico saw first hand on Tuesday, is that Tennessee fans have his back.
The overwhelming response from Vols fans to the news of the NCAA investigation on Tuesday was to defend Nico and his NIL deal.
(Even more importantly, the leadership at Tennessee offered a strongly worded defense as well.)
Nico learned that support from Vols fans isn't conditional. Vol nation really is a family that looks out for their own. And with the college football world suddenly zeroed in on Nico's NIL deal, it had to feel nice for the UT quarterback to see the incredible amount of support from Tennessee fans.
If there's a battle that lies ahead, Nico won't be alone in fighting it. Tennessee fans are ready to throw down with the NCAA. And if you think fans can't have an impact on these sorts of things, well you must not be familiar with Vols fans and what they've pulled off in the past (Schiano Sunday anyone?).
The NCAA may regret picking this fight.
Spyre Sports releases statement on Tennessee Vols QB Nico Iamaleava’s NIL deal
Nico’s NIL deal has been acknowledged
