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Cam Newton Sends Blunt Message on Nico Iamaleava

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 3:43 PM ET

Nico Iamaleava is expected to join the UCLA Bruins after entering the transfer portal last week. Iamaleava was making $2 million per year while quarterbacking the Tennessee Volunteers, but reportedly wanted another $2 million on top of that, prompting his departure.

His search for a new program that would pay him such didn't go as planned. Former Auburn Tigers signal-caller Cam Newton, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner, doesn't blame Iamaleava for the apparent career misstep.

"This is a perfect case of 'good advice saves, bad advice kills,'" Newton said on his podcast, "4th&1 With Cam Newton." "Good advice will save your life. Bad advice will kill you. Whoever gave him the advice to sit out killed that kid. Whoever told his father, whoever told him or gave him the inkling of, 'We need more money.' Yeah, you would think it's about money. This has everything to do with advice."

Iamaleava is represented by his father, Nic Iamaleava, as well as California-based coach Cordell Landers and at least one lawyer, according to Front Office Sports. Those from Iamaleava's camp have refuted reports that they were after more money.

"This is what you must understand Nico — and Big Nico — regardless of how you bounce back from this, you will be the example," Newton said. "There's certain things in people's careers that just sticks. When you think about Cam, Super Bowl. When you think about Lamar (Jackson), playoffs. ... With Nico, he will have this as a stain on his career, and it's sad."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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