Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is negotiating a new multimillion-dollar NIL deal just ahead of the transfer portal opening on April 16, according to a report Thursday.
It creates a tense situation for the Vols, who finish spring practice with their Orange and White Game on Saturday (2 p.m. ET) at Neyland Stadium.
On3.com reported that Iamaleava and the NIL collective that pays him on behalf of Tennessee are trying to hammer out a deal this week. He signed a blockbuster NIL contract in 2022, which reportedly paid him more than $2 million per year.
But the market has risen for the highest paid quarterbacks. Miami’s Carson Beck and Duke’s Darian Mensah got close to $4 million, CBS Sports reported, but they had to go into the transfer portal to get those deals.
Tennessee wants to keep Iamaleava. He has a good relationship with coach Josh Heupel, assistant coaches and his teammates. But this development tosses a snag, even if temporarily, into a pivotal offseason for the Vols and their star quarterback.
Iamaleava’s next media appearance is expected after the spring game if UT makes him available. Iamaleava’s father did not immediately respond to a Knox News request for comment. Spyre Sports Group, the NIL collective that pays Iamaleava, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Here’s what Nico Iamaleava has done so far
For some Tennessee fans, it’s a frustrating twist in the Vols’ two-year marriage to Iamaleava that began with a blockbuster NIL deal, survived an NCAA investigation and has featured only one season of starting work so far.
Iamaleava, the five-star recruiting gem, took a redshirt in 2023 and started in 2024. He has played 18 games with 14 starts for the Vols.
He has completed 241 of 379 passes for 2,930 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. And he has rushed for 435 yards and six…
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Publish date : 2025-04-10 19:03:00
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