Tennessee Reveals New Transfer Portal Plans at Quarterback

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 2:37 PM ET

The early assumption after quarterback Nico Iamaleava's departure from the Tennessee Volunteers was that program was going to have to find another signal-caller in the transfer portal this offseason. While speaking to reporters Saturday, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel confirmed that is indeed the team's plan.

"With only two scholarship [quarterbacks], gonna have to find another guy," Heupel told reporters, via The Knoxville News Sentinel's Adam Sparks.

Tennessee held its spring game Saturday without Iamaleava, who was the team's starting quarterback last season. On Friday, ESPN reported Iamaleava was not at team's practice, which surprised Tennessee's players and coaches.

On3 reported the Volunteers quarterback was seeking a new NIL deal worth nearly twice as much as his current $2.4 million deal.

Negotiations for a new deal between the quarterback and program, though, fell apart, which led to the two sides parting ways before Saturday.

"With the portal set to open Wednesday, Iamaleava's representatives were again looking for $4 million, and sources told ESPN that Tennessee 'wasn't going to blink and pay him any more money,'" ESPN detailed on Friday.

Breaking: Tennessee is moving on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel informed the team of the decision at a team meeting. Iamaleava missed meetings and practice on Friday, which was the driver of this decision, sources told @PeteThamel. pic.twitter.com/onxbkJKNJV
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) April 12, 2025

The immediate futures for both Tennessee behind center and Iamaleava are murky, but the program and quarterback will each turn to the transfer portal for answers.

Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre are the two scholarship quarterbacks remaining on Tennessee's roster.

In his first year as a starter during 2024, Iamaleava posted a 63.8% completion percentage with 2,616 passing yards. The quarterback also had 19 touchdowns and five interceptions.

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

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