The world of college football is shocked as the University of Tennessee have decided to part ways with their starting quarterback, Nico Iamaleava. The star high school quarterback signed a lucrative Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal coming out of high school to commit and play for the Volunteers.
Coming into college, Iamaleava was a highly touted 5-star quarterback out of California with over 20 offers from some of the best programs in the nation. His collegiate career started in the 2024 Citrus Bowl, leading the Volunteers to a 35–0 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes—throwing for 151 yards, one touchdown, and 55 yards rushing. Entering his sophomore season, expectations were very high; many experts had him as their preseason Heisman winner, and some even predicted he would lead the Volunteers to the national championship. To say that he fell short of those expectations is an understatement.
Tennessee finished the 2025 football season with a 10–3 record and was bounced in the first round of the playoffs by eventual national champions Ohio State. Iamaleava had an abysmal showing in the game, going 14-31 for only 104 yards in a 42-17 loss.
It is known that Iamaleava and the Tennessee Volunteer’s had NIL disputes before their playoff game against Ohio State, and he reportedly threatened to enter the portal during game preparation for the playoffs. So, none of this is surprising, but this is an all-around lousy look for everyone involved. This situation underscores the growing concern that there need to be rules and limitations for NIL. The audacity to have a mediocre season and demand more money from the team is ludicrous.
Many stated that Nico had begun ignoring his administrators, coaches, and the boosters who funded his $2 million annual NIL deal. He reportedly stopped showing up for practice, and on Saturday, what many speculated officially became true: Nico Iamaleava formally entered the transfer portal.
The news shook the college football world, and many experts voiced their displeasure with how the situation unfolded.
Josh Pate, an esteemed college football analyst and host of The Josh Pate College Football Show, said,
“There are situations where everybody inside the college football bubble—the coach, the program, the player, the fan base—loses. Moreover, you have some clown trying to represent someone to squeeze a million more dollars out of a collective. That is the only one that may stand to win in the entire proposition. It is not how anything is happening.”
While many believe that NIL has changed the power balance in college football, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has shifted things back in favor of the coaches and the programs.
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