Nico Iamaleava. Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

CFB world reacts to Tennessee's big move with QB Nico Iamaleava

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 9:00 AM ET

It's a shocking move, but some would say it was bound to happen.

Nico Iamaleava was the starting quarterback at Tennessee until Saturday morning. He was coming off a dominant season during which he led the Volunteers to the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

On Thursday, a report emerged that Iamaleava and Tennessee were having "contract negotiations" for a new NIL deal for him in 2025. Then, taking a page out of the NFL playbook, Iamaleava seemingly staged a "holdout."

He didn't attend practice on Friday, a day before Tennessee's Orange and White scrimmage. That prompted head coach Josh Heupel to tell the team on Saturday morning that Tennessee was moving on from Iamaleava.

Heupel's announcement emerged after the report that the former five-star quarterback was entering the transfer portal. ESPN's Chris Low is reporting that Iamaleava notified Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle on Friday night of his decision to enter the portal, and Heupel and "multiple staffers" tried to reach out to him.

Iamaleava notified Tennessee OC Joey Halzle late Friday night he had completed his paperwork and was entering the portal next week, sources told ESPN. This after Josh Heupel and multiple staffers had tried to reach Iamaleava and/or his reps to no avail for a day and a half https://t.co/DqYJ0DHheg
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 12, 2025

The college football world had plenty of reactions to this news.

Nico Iamaleava threw for 104 yards on 31 pass attempts vs Ohio state in a blowout playoff loss and he’s acting like he’s Peyton manning lmao https://t.co/iAZqnQwLHX
— John (@iam_johnw) April 11, 2025

Nick Saban somewhere after hearing about Tennessee and Nico Iamaleava pic.twitter.com/LKTiDq1KZI
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) April 12, 2025

Nico Iamaleava is EXACTLY what everyone was worried about with paying players exemplified.

Average QB who tried to hold his team hostage for money he doesn’t deserve.

Not even a top 25 QB returning in College Football, and wants QB1 money.

How about throw for 200 yards against…
— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) April 12, 2025

Tennessee is much better off without Nico Iamaleava.
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) April 12, 2025

Tennessee is moving on from starting QB Nico Iamaleava after the NIL dispute

This stings the VOLS but It goes to
Show

No one is bigger than the program at Tennessee

You’re a Vol or you’re not pic.twitter.com/26TzQRYlPs
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) April 12, 2025

NICO Iamaleava was paid nearly 2 million dollars while redshirting. The audacity to ask for more money when you got paid an entire year for doing nothing on the field.

Then you show up and proceed to be the No. 57 QB in passing yards last year.

Never pay this kid another dime. pic.twitter.com/RLzzoZVAID
— Rico Rico (@Ricoknowstiktok) April 12, 2025

Iamaleava is officially the first "holdout" of the NIL era. If this sounds like an NFL contract holdout situation, that's because college football is becoming more and more like the pros.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: