Tennessee has decided to part ways with starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a move that comes after a challenging week for the player. Coach Josh Heupel informed the team of this decision during a meeting on Saturday. The decision was largely influenced by Iamaleava’s absence from meetings and practice the previous Friday.
Iamaleava has been in the spotlight recently due to issues surrounding his name, image, and likeness (NIL) contract with the school. Reports indicate that he was trying to renegotiate a deal worth $10 million and had reached out to Oregon about a potential transfer. However, Oregon showed no interest, and Tennessee officials made it clear they would not be swayed by Iamaleava’s demands.
His absence from practice surprised both coaches and teammates, raising concerns about the situation. This decision comes just hours before Tennessee’s annual spring game, where Iamaleava will not participate.
With Iamaleava’s departure, Tennessee is left with only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger is now expected to take over as the likely starter, with true freshman George MacIntyre backing him up. Both players were four-star recruits coming out of high school.
The Volunteers are likely to seek a new quarterback through the transfer portal, especially with summer camps approaching. However, finding a suitable replacement who can step in as a starter right away may prove challenging.
As for Iamaleava, he is expected to be a hot commodity in the transfer portal when it opens on April 16. Originally from Southern California, he has three years of eligibility remaining after a redshirt freshman season where he threw 19 touchdowns and five interceptions.
This shake-up in Tennessee’s quarterback situation marks a significant shift for the program, which had high hopes for Iamaleava as a key player moving forward.