'I do want to address the Tennessee fans' - Former Vols QB Nico Iamaleava sends definitive message about departure from Knoxville

Last month at Big 10 Media Days, UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava told reporters that he left the Tennessee Vols in the spring so he could be closer to family in California.

When asked if NIL money had an impact on his departure, Iamaleava said, "I don't speak on money matters -- I'm just here for ball and school."

In an interview with NBC Sports that was released this week, Iamaleava states point-blank that his decision to leave Tennessee wasn't financially motivated.

"I definitely could've handed it a better way," said Iamaleava of his exit from Knoxville. "But I wouldn't change anything for how it happened.

"I do want to address the Tennessee fans and let them know that this decision was nothing financial. It was strictly a family decision, me being back closer to my mom and my whole family. I know there's that narrative out there that people are running with. All I can do is be me and focus on me and my future."

There are plenty of mixed opinions on how Iamaleava left Tennessee and the way the whole situation went down. But Iamaleava, the one actually having to deal with negativity being sent his way, has handled the situation quite well since arriving at UCLA. He's been complimentary of his time at Tennessee without taking jabs at UT through the media, or adding negativity to the situation.

The important thing for Iamaleava is that he learns from his time at Tennessee and grows as a player and a person because of it.

And the same is true for the staff at Tennessee. Whatever happened behind closed doors happened, and the blame can be thrown at whoever you want -- it really doesn't matter at this point. But I don't think there's any doubt that Tennessee could've handled their end of the situation a little better, too.

The way things went down is unfortunate for both sides. But since it happened, both sides might as well learn a few lessons from the whole fiasco.