ESPN drops concerning update on Tennessee Vols' search for a new quarterback in the wake of Nico Iamaleava's exit from Rocky Top

With Nico Iamaleava set to hit the NCAA transfer portal this week, the Tennessee Vols are looking to add a quarterback to the roster during the spring transfer window. 

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel confirmed after the Vols' spring game this past weekend that UT will look to add a quarterback, though he didn't reveal if the program will look for an option that can compete with redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre for the starting job or if they'll just look to add depth at the position. 

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel and Max Olson, the Vols' search for a quarterback is already underway. 

And thus far, it hasn't been very fruitful for Tennessee. 

"So far, Tennessee has appeared to have little luck in its search for talent," noted ESPN's Thamel and Olson on Tuesday. "Sources told ESPN that at least one starting quarterback has received a raise thanks to an inquiry his agent received from Tennessee. Expect the agents of nearly every established starter in the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 to get a call."

From ESPN: "This is a terrible time," said an industry source familiar with the quarterback market, with observations applying to both the quarterback and Tennessee. "You are setting yourself up to fail. You are so late. You get no spring ball, and all new wide receivers and a new system. The kids being paid a lot of money are already in the system, or they are four months into it."......"I feel 100% confident that we have nothing to worry about," one general manager of a Big 12 program said, "but how do you ever truly know?"

Similarly, Thamel and Olson also noted that Iamaleava doesn't seem to have a robust market, though that could change with one phone call. It's also worth noting that the spring transfer window doesn't officially open until Wednesday, so things could change quickly for both Tennessee and Iamaleava (check out rest of the report from ESPN here). 

It's setting up to be a wild week in college football, and Tennessee, as is often the case, is right at the center of the excitement/drama.