Tennessee to Move On from Starting QB Nico Iamaleava, Sources Confirm

Tennessee football is officially parting ways with starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava after the redshirt freshman opted not to attend Friday’s practice amidst contract negotiations tied to his NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel informed the team of the decision Saturday morning ahead of the program’s spring game. Iamaleava had notified offensive coordinator Joey Halzle late Friday night that he was preparing to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on Wednesday. This followed his absence from both practice and team meetings earlier in the day.

According to sources, Iamaleava’s representatives were unreachable following his no-show, a move that marked the tipping point for the program. Internal discussions escalated after the quarterback’s team requested a renegotiation of his NIL agreement earlier this year—seeking a bump into the $4 million range, up from the $2.4 million he was currently earning. Tennessee declined to restructure the deal, remaining firm in their stance.

Iamaleava, once the face of Tennessee’s recruiting class with an NIL contract reportedly worth nearly $10 million over its full term, has three years of eligibility remaining. Despite leading the Volunteers to a 10-3 record and a College Football Playoff berth in his debut season as a starter—throwing for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions—his future now lies elsewhere.

With his departure, Tennessee is left with only two scholarship quarterbacks: redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, who now steps into the spotlight, and incoming true freshman George MacIntyre. The Volunteers also have a commitment from Faizon Brandon, a five-star quarterback in the Class of 2026.

Notably, SEC rules prohibit spring intra-conference transfers from gaining immediate eligibility. That limits Iamaleava’s short-term landing options and also affects Tennessee’s ability to bring in an SEC quarterback for 2025.

The fallout has already sent shockwaves through the transfer market. Sources say Tennessee’s collective began reaching out Friday to third parties representing potential quarterback targets. One quarterback even received an NIL bump from his current school after word of Tennessee’s inquiry spread.

As Iamaleava heads into the transfer portal, his next move and market value will be closely watched in what is quickly becoming one of college football’s most dramatic off-season stories.