Tennessee Vols make major decision on the future of QB Nico Iamaleava and the writing was on the wall
The big domino has fallen in Tennessee and it wasn’t unexpected with how the last couple of days have gone. QB Nico Iamaleava was not at team meetings or practice on Friday due to his current NIL contract that he wanted to be reworked with a raise. As a result, head coach Josh Heupel has […]
The big domino has fallen in Tennessee and it wasn’t unexpected with how the last couple of days have gone.
QB Nico Iamaleava was not at team meetings or practice on Friday due to his current NIL contract that he wanted to be reworked with a raise. As a result, head coach Josh Heupel has made a big decision.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Vols have parted ways with Iamaleava. Now, Iamaleava will hit the spring transfer portal window after spending the last two seasons with Tennessee.
This comes as a big statement from the Vols for not giving into the contract demands that were reportedly in the $4 million range. It would have been a significant bump up from the $2.5 million that Iamaleava was making with the Vols. Not showing up to team meetings and practice on Friday looked as if Iamaleava was holding out, which is totally new to the college football landscape.
Tennessee gave Iamaleava a big NIL contract out of high school and it was one of the first large deals. It doesn’t work out in the end and Iamaleava was the starter for just one season with the Vols. Iamaleava completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Vols last season. It was a pork dive season for Tennessee in the right direction thanks to their College Football Playoff berth. Tennessee's season ended against Ohio State in the first round.
Now, all eyes will be on where Tennessee turns at quarterback. Jake Merklinger is entering his redshirt freshman season and former highly-toured recruit George MacIntyre is on campus as a true freshman. One thing is settled, the Iamaleava era is over in Knoxville.
Nico Iamaleava may shock college football fans with most likely landing spots as he leaves Tennessee Vols for the Transfer Portal
Nico Iamaleava most likely landing spots will shock college football fans
