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It's been nearly two months since quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the Tennessee Vols parted ways in a highly publicized breakup, but the former five-star recruit is still catching strays from the media.
Iamaleava, who transferred to UCLA in April, had what I would consider an extremely successful first season as a college football starting quarterback. His numbers weren't gaudy, but he led the Vols to wins against Oklahoma, Florida, and Alabama while helping the program make its first ever College Football Playoff appearance. It wasn't a perfect season for Iamaleava, but it was certainly much better than what the majority of college football quarterbacks enjoyed last season.
The narrative surrounding Iamaleava's departure from Tennessee (which has far too many layers to get into here), however, has led to the California native receiving a bizarre amount of criticism for his performance as a 20-year-old last season.
Former Alabama quarterback turned analyst Greg McElroy is the latest to take a shot at Iamaleava.
McElroy, who hosts McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, was surprised to learn this week that Tennessee is ranked No. 10 in ESPN's updated FPI (football power index) rankings (based on championship odds).
The former Alabama quarterback made a quip about Iamaleava upon learning that the FPI rankings had been updated since Nico's departure from Tennessee.
"They might have actually just accounted for the fact that Nico wasn't good," said McElroy.
McElroy, though, followed up his jab by pointing out that he doesn't think Tennessee is a top 10 football team, noting that he thinks the Vols are an eight win team.
Regardless of what you think of Iamaleava, the shot that McElroy took is a bit rich considering his own playing career.
McElroy led Alabama to a national championship as a junior in 2009, but his stats were actually quite similar to Iamaleava's stats in 2024.
In 2024, Iamaleava passed for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also rushed for 358 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2009, McElroy passed for 2,508 yards, 17 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He rushed for 83 yards and one touchdown.
Tennessee's defense received much of the credit for the Vols' success in 2024. UT had the No. 13 scoring offense in the nation and the No. 7 scoring defense.
In 2009, Alabama had the No. 22 scoring offense and the No. 2 scoring defense.
I'm not trying to take anything away from McElroy, he's a national champion and I've learned a ton about the sport by listening to his unique insight over the years. But come on, man. That was a cheap shot at Nico.
More must-reads:
- What to know about the 10 hottest college football QB battles
- Oregon suspends former five-star WR recruit indefinitely
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
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NFL legend Tom Brady unleashes on current climate in college sports
NFL legend Tom Brady isn't happy with the current climate in college sports. Fueled by money — specifically, revenue-sharing and name, image and likeness deals — along with the transfer portal's explosion and ongoing conference realignment, Brady says a reality check is needed in collegiate athletics. "But because we’re just talking about money, money, money, money … that’s the only value in college? Is that what we’re saying? To me, the priorities are a bit messed up," Brady said in a conversation with Fox Sports' Joel Klatt on the "Big Noon Conversations" podcast. College sports, in particular football and basketball, are a big business, and Brady recognizes that. At the same time, given NIL and other factors, there isn't a ton of loyalty in the college game, as players switch schools all the time. Plus, as Brady notes, these players are missing out on the college experience that he had while playing quarterback for Big Ten Conference powerhouse Michigan from 1995-1999, because they're competing for two or three schools. "I didn’t go to three different colleges," Brady, who won seven Super Bowls in the NFL, continued. "I didn’t leave college when it seemed like I wasn’t gonna play. I wasn’t at college to do anything other than have a great college experience, to go to school, to have camaraderie with my teammates and to compete at a high level. That’s really where the focus was. And at a young age, that’s where I think the focus needs to be." Brady doesn't blame the players. They're teenagers or in their early 20s when suiting up for college teams. He says that players' parents have to protect them. It's even more complicated these days (and tempting) because of the money being offered to top-ranked prospects, and some of these young men also have agents now. "It’s very intriguing to get that quick dollar," Brady said. "Look, we had a $400 scholarship check, and it seemed like I was rich. It really did. I’m sure most kids felt like that. We got pizza cards to go to dinner, and we had a training table, and it was an amazing experience. We didn’t think about the money." Brady says his time at Michigan prepared him for the pro ranks. He was in college for four years but didn't become the Wolverines' starter until his junior season. While Brady was a good college quarterback, he wasn't elite. He was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft and used that as motivation to prove that he belonged in the pros. What then transpired was Brady evolving into the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL. He says young players today are too quick to move to a different school if they're not getting enough playing time. "The lessons I learned in college — and certainly about competition — those traits transformed my life as a professional. I was ready to compete against anybody, because the competition in college toughened me up so much that I had a self-belief and self-confidence that whatever I was faced with, I could overcome that," Brady said. Brady isn't saying that money isn't important. But he is saying what many others are thinking. The emphasis on money in college sports is concerning and problematic. "We’re valuing the wrong things," said Brady.
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