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Former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava Officially Enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 9:12 AM ET

Nico Iamaleava is officially looking for a new home.

The former five-star recruit and Tennessee starting quarterback entered the NCAA transfer portal Wednesday morning, according to ESPN's Max Olson. The news comes after Iamaleava and the Volunteer program parted ways over the weekend because of an NIL dispute.

Iamaleava was seeking a more lucrative NIL deal from Tennessee, and when one wasn't forthcoming, he skipped spring practice last Friday. That move led to the two sides deciding it was time to divorce.

"There's nobody bigger than the 'Power T,'" Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said Saturday.

"This program's been around for a long time. A lot of great coaches, a lot of great players that came before, laid the cornerstone pieces, the legacy, the tradition that is Tennessee football. It's going to be around a long time after I'm done and after they're gone."

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Nico Iamaleava #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers warms up prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Reports have indicated Iamaleava, who is being represented by his father and Cordell Landers, a family friend and former Florida football staffer, was aiming to make $4 million in NIL next season, which he might not get now that he's looking for a new school.

Tulane and UNC were originally mentioned as possible destinations for the California native, but the Tar Heels are reportedly looking elsewhere and so are the Green Wave, who reportedly have pulled out of Iamaleava's recruitment.

“I would stay away from him,” said ESPN's Paul Finebaum, while appearing on the "McElroy and Cubelic" show earlier this week.

"It’s not even Nico. It’s, the whole apparatus...something tells me Nico is not personally in the middle of these negotiations. Team Nico is."

One thing is certain: the saga of Iamaleava is going to be fascinating to follow over the next few weeks and months. Your guess is as good as ours as to where he'll be playing this coming season.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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