Insider explains why Nico Iamaleava's NIL holdout could be a 'mistake'

Will quarterback Nico Iamaleava regret leaving Tennessee?

On Saturday, Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel told his team that Iamaleava was entering the transfer portal after the school refused to give him a NIL (name, image and likeness) raise. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the 20-year-old was set to make $2.4M this upcoming season but wanted $4M.

In a column published Monday, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer called Iamaleava's holdout a "mistake" and suggested it could have long-term consequences on his NFL future. 

"But I think, as a quarterback, Iamaleava has the ceiling to get to the pros, and is probably at this point a victim of taking bad advice," wrote Breer. "That is what the NFL folks and college football staffers I've talked to think — that it's not an agent, but family and handlers, perhaps too focused on what they can collectively make now and not what's coming."

Tankathon lists Iamaleava (6-foot-6, 215 pounds) as one of its top-four QBs in the 2026 NFL Draft class. (The site still hasn't ranked the QBs.) 

Iamaleava tossed 19 touchdown passes in 13 starts in 2024. If his numbers dip with his new team in 2025, his draft stock and future earnings could plummet. 

Per Spotrac, the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft will sign a four-year, $43.01M contract with a $27.92M signing bonus and fifth-year option. Meanwhile, the first pick of the second round will sign a four-year, $10.85M deal with a $4.53M signing bonus. 

Wherever Iamaleava transfers will likely determine whether he flops or flourishes.

As of Monday, 247 Sports predicts he will transfer to North Carolina, which hired new head coach Bill Belichick this offseason. The coach won six Super Bowls in 24 seasons with the New England Patriots. 

Belichick could maximize Iamaleava's skills, but North Carolina still isn't an ideal situation for the QB. Last season, the Tar Heels went 6-7.

If the decision derails Iamaleava's career, it could teach young athletes and their camps an important lesson: Sometimes, it's better to take less money in the short term and wait for more later.