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Nico Iamaleava’s future with Tennessee football is uncertain.
The Vols quarterback did not show up at practice amid Friday morning after reports of his NIL negotiations surfaced and the day before Tennessee’s Saturday spring game, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told Knox News. The source requested anonymity because Friday’s practice was closed to media and public.
Iamaleava could choose to transfer when the spring football portal window opens April 16. If his career in Knoxville is over, the Vols would be shifting to a new quarterback for the 2025 season.
Here is what to know about Tennessee’s quarterback situation:
What would Tennessee football do without Nico Iamaleava?
If Iamaleava leaves, Tennessee would move on.
Tennessee would have two scholarship quarterbacks on its roster in Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre. Merklinger, a redshirt freshman, would be next in line as the starter without Iamaleava. MacIntyre, a true freshman, would be the backup.
Could Tennessee football add a quarterback in the spring transfer window?
The Vols could pursue a veteran quarterback in the portal when it opens to bridge the gap to Merklinger, MacIntyre or five-star Faizon Brandon. Brandon is committed to UT in the 2026 class.
Tennessee would be an attractive landing spot for a quarterback between Heupel’s offense and making the College Football Playoff last season. There is even an upside for the Vols in the Iamaleava saga playing out publicly as a quarterback could see the possibility of jumping to Tennessee and choose to enter the portal.
Jake Merklinger is up next for Tennessee football
Merklinger has drawn good reviews during spring football behind Iamaleava.
“Going through your first spring as a freshman, your first fall camp as a freshman, you’re drinking from a fire hose right from the rip,” Tennessee…
Source link : https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2025/04/11/nico-iamaleava-tennessee-football-quarterbacks-jake-merklinger-transfer-portal/83050277007/
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Publish date : 2025-04-11 21:26:00
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