Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is expected to transfer to UCLA, according to numerous reports, after leaving the Vols over a dispute about NIL pay.
Iamaleava’s father, Nic, did not immediately respond to a Knox News request for comment.
It comes after a flurry of schools showed interest but then backed away, presumably because the asking price was too high.
Details of Iamaleava’s NIL deal with UCLA have not been released. NIL deals are between a player and a third party rather than the university, so they are not available via a public records request.
Meanwhile, FOX Sports personality Colin Cowherd reported that the Iamaleava family claims problems with Tennessee’s offense is the reason for the transfer rather than money.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
“Nico Iamaleava is going to UCLA,” Cowherd wrote. “Family still claims it’s NOT about the (money bag emoji). It’s about the Vol football offense. I was not told what the Bruins are paying.”
At Tennessee, Iamaleava sought a renegotiation to his NIL deal, which reportedly paid him more than $2 million per year. ESPN’s Chris Low, citing sources, reported that Iamaleava’s representatives wanted his NIL pay increased to $4 million per year, using the possibility of him entering the portal as leverage.
Nico Iamaleava stats at Tennessee
Iamaleava, a native of Long Beach, California, will reboot his college career, although such a change wasn’t necessary.
Last season, Iamaleava was UT’s starting quarterback en route to a 10-3 record and the College Football Playoff. He passed for 2,616 yards, 19 TDs and five interceptions during his redshirt freshman season.
Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit, took a redshirt in 2023 after playing four games in the regular season. But he finished that season with a Citrus Bowl MVP performance.
In two seasons at UT, Iamaleava played 18 games with 14 starts. He completed 241 of 379 passes for 2,930 yards, 21 TDs and five interceptions. And he has rushed for 435 yards and six TDs.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email[email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
