Nico Iamaleava’s Father Causes Huge Stir Amid Possible Tennessee Exit Rumors

Nico Iamaleava has been preparing for his second season as the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers. In his redshirt freshman year, he threw for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.

He also made history by leading Tennessee to its first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, though the Volunteers came up short in the first round against Ohio State.

On Thursday, On3's Pete Nakos reported that Iamaleava and Tennessee "are in active negotiations on a new NIL deal ahead of the 2025 season."

Nakos also said, "It remains unclear if those negotiations will impact Iamaleava's decision regarding the spring transfer portal, which opens next week... Sources have indicated that Nico Iamaleava is happy at Tennessee and has a strong relationship with head coach Josh Heupel. The Vols are trying to finalize a new contract before Saturday's Orange-White spring game."

Iamaleava's father, Nic Iamaleava, got a call from Nakos to confirm the report and immediately took to social media to share his side of things.

"More games being played off the field than on the field," he wrote. "(Expletive) Nakos from On3 Sports called and asked me directly, I told him I had no idea on what he's talking about. He said his 'close source' that he trusts with his life from the University of Tennessee staff gave him this information. So y'all can ask them what's going on, cuz it ain't from us!"