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6d ago

Nico Iamaleava Transfers to UCLA After Tennessee NIL Dispute

The former Tennessee quarterback officially committed to UCLA, concluding a high-profile transfer saga shaped by NIL negotiations and program dynamics.

Dec 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) throws against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half of the College Football Playoff first round game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 42-17. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-Imagn Images/File Photo
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Iamaleava and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel embrace following the team's win in the Cheez-It Bowl in 2024.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) looks to pass against Vanderbilt during their game at FirstBank Stadium.

Overview

  • Nico Iamaleava announced his commitment to UCLA on April 20, 2025, following a week of speculation after entering the transfer portal with a do-not-contact tag.
  • Iamaleava sought to renegotiate his $2.4 million annual NIL deal with Tennessee to $4 million, leading to a practice holdout and the program's decision to move forward without him.
  • Tennessee coach Josh Heupel emphasized program authority, stating, 'No one is bigger than the Power T,' after Iamaleava missed practice and meetings in early April.
  • UCLA provides a homecoming for the Long Beach native, though reports suggest his new NIL deal will not meet his original $4 million request.
  • Iamaleava, who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff in 2024, will now compete to revitalize a UCLA program coming off a 5-7 season in its first year in the Big Ten.