Tennessee Releases QB Nico Iamaleava After NIL Contract Dispute

The Volunteers announced their decision following Iamaleava's practice absence, signaling a major shift in their quarterback plans.

Tennessee informed the team on April 12, 2025, that Nico Iamaleava is no longer part of the program, following his decision to skip practice during NIL renegotiation talks.
Iamaleava, reportedly seeking to increase his annual NIL compensation from $2.4 million to $4 million, is expected to enter the transfer portal when it opens on April 16.
The quarterback's practice absence on April 11 was described as the tipping point in the decision to part ways, marking one of the first high-profile NIL-related holdouts in college football.
Iamaleava led Tennessee to a 10-3 record and a College Football Playoff appearance last season, but his performance was seen as solid but not exceptional.
Tennessee now faces uncertainty at quarterback with only two scholarship players available, and the program is expected to explore transfer portal options to fill the gap.