The Big Lead

Nico Iamaleava Leaves Tennessee Amid NIL Dispute, Eyes New Opportunity

WATCH THE TBL PODCAST !

By John Robinson IV

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) throws during the second half of the College Football Playoff first round game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 22, 2024. Ohio State won 42-17.
Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) throws during the second half of the College Football Playoff first round game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 22, 2024. Ohio State won 42-17. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
facebooktwitter

Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is officially on the move, departing the Volunteers program after skipping spring practices in pursuit of a more lucrative NIL deal. Iamaleava, once hailed as a program cornerstone, originally signed a four-year, $8.8 million NIL agreement out of high school—$2.2 million per year. But after Georgia's Carson Beck inked a $3 million deal, Iamaleava sought a raise. When Tennessee didn’t budge, he walked.

Despite strong moments in Knoxville—including 19 touchdowns and a playoff appearance—Iamaleava’s career hasn’t lived up to his hefty contract. Tennessee's playoff push was largely credited to an elite defense, and losses to rivals Alabama and Florida didn’t help his case. Still, his exit highlights a bigger issue: the NCAA’s lack of structure around NIL deals and player retention.

The quarterback’s departure is a symptom of a new era in college football—one where players, like coaches, chase better offers and opportunities. Reports already link Iamaleava to UCLA, North Carolina, and Maryland, with UCLA currently the frontrunner. A Southern California native and elite volleyball talent, Nico could thrive in Westwood.

This saga underscores a shifting landscape where players are now year-round free agents, constantly re-recruited by rival programs. As the NIL market evolves, college football may need agents, contracts with opt-outs, and GM-like roles to manage roster fluidity. Iamaleava’s decision might draw criticism now, but if he lands a bigger bag, he could become a trailblazer for athlete empowerment in the NIL era.

Related: Watch More TBL Here