Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava announced Sunday his decision to transfer to UCLA for the 2025 season. In a move he called “incredibly difficult,” Iamaleava explained what his two-year tenure with the Vols meant to him and what he leaves behind. Iamaleava’s words came a few days after the former five-star broke his silence on the departure with a series of strange social media posts on his Instagram story.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His grace, for continuing to bless my family, and for allowing me to live out my passion each and every day,” Iamaleava wrote. “To the amazing people in Knoxville, thank you for embracing and uplifting me throughout my time there. I’ll be forever thankful for the support you showed me every step of the way and I’ll always cherish the relationships I built there and the memories I created with my brothers. I believe with all my heart that I gave my all as a Volunteer. I’m truly grateful for the time I had at UT.
“My journey at UT has come to an end. This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be. “Even though, this chapter is ending, a new chapter has begun and I am committed to UCLA!”
A previous report indicated Iamaleava threatened to sit out the College Football Playoff last season due to a contract dispute. Iamaleava came out of hiding for the first time in a week prior to his UCLA announcement.
“Damn I tried to sit out and throw the playoff game too,” Iamaleava wrote on his Instagram story with laugh emojis. “These boys just make me laugh man ain’t no way.”
Iamaleava parted ways with Tennessee over after the Vols decided not to meet his NIL expectations. Initial conversations began in December with his family and Tennessee, almost leading Iamaleava to skip the Vols’ playoff game against Ohio State, according to Josh Pate, who claimed he wasn’t the only player to do so.
“This stuff was happening last December during the playoffs — with this kid included, but not just this kid,” Pate said. “They were trying to get more money from Tennessee and other playoff teams before the playoffs. They were trying to leverage playoff participation.”
Iamaleava guided the Vols to a playoff berth in 2024 after finishing with 2,616 yards passing and another 358 yards with three touchdowns on the ground.
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