Former Tennessee football quarterback Nico Iamaleava announced his commitment to UCLA on social media.
Iamaleava thanked the Vols staff, adding he didn’t expect to leave the Vols this early in his college career.
“To the amazing people in Knoxville, thank you for embracing and uplifting me throughout my time there,” Iamaleava wrote on Instagram on April 20. “I’ll be forever thankful for the support you showed me every step of the way and I’ll always cherish the relationships I built there and the memories I created with my brothers. I believe with all my heart that I gave my all as a Volunteer. I’m truly grateful for the time I had at UT.”My journey at UT has come to an end. This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be.”
UCLA announced Iamaleava’s commitment on social media shortly after Iamaleava made his decision public.
It was reported April 16 that Iamaleava was expected to transfer to UCLA after leaving Tennessee over a dispute about NIL pay. Iamaleava sought a renegotiation of his NIL deal at Tennessee, which reportedly paid him more than $2 million per year. ESPN’s Chris Low reported that Iamaleava’s representatives wanted his NIL pay increased to $4 million per year, and they possibility of him entering the portal as leverage.
The Iamaleava family claimed that problems with Tennessee’s offense was the reason he transferred, not money, according to FOX Sports personality Colin Cowherd.
Iamaleava was a no-show at practice the day before Tennessee’s spring game on April 12, which was when Vols coach Josh Heupel knew the relationship with Iamaleava was over. It was announced Iamaleava would not attend Tennessee’s spring game, and the Vols were moving forward without him.
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Source link : https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2025/04/20/nico-iamaleava-ucla-tennessee-football-transfer-update/83186858007/
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Publish date : 2025-04-20 21:25:00
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