• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

Former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava Will Transfer to UCLA

The former Tennessee quarterback entered the transfer portal after a weeklong saga over his NIL earnings.

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) throws during the second half of the College Football Playoff first round game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 22, 2024. Ohio State won 42-17.
The Columbus Dispatch

After a week of drama over his NIL contracts, it appears Nico Iamaleava has found a new home.

The former Tennessee quarterback is headed to UCLA for a deal rumored to be in the $1.5 million range. Iamaleava posted the news on his Instagram account Sunday.

Last week, a report surfaced saying Iamaleava was in the middle of a renegotiation of his NIL contract with the Vols’ collective—news that his father Nic vehemently denied on social media. He didn’t appear at practice the following day, and by Saturday morning, the Vols had decided to part ways with him. 

A member of his camp told Front Office Sports that Iamaleava hadn’t asked the team for more money, and that he had decided to transfer before the April 11 practice, which was why he skipped it. His decision was based on unfulfilled requests related to improvements to the team’s offensive line and arsenal of wide receivers.

Another source familiar with Iamaleava’s NIL contract, however, said he had asked for a raise at the end of the winter transfer portal window and that his representatives have been increasingly unresponsive, leading to confusion and uncertainty at Tennessee.

The messy split from Tennessee has led to questions over who’s really at fault. And it illustrates how uncredentialed representation can potentially undermine a player’s reputation and lead them to the wrong decision, sources have said. Iamaleava’s father Nic Iamaleava, a coach named Cordell Landers, and at least one lawyer—none of whom are certified agents—have been in control of his decision-making. 

Iamaleava, who committed to Tennessee in 2022, left a top SEC program fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance that was paying him at least $8 million over the lifetime of his contract. He’ll join a struggling UCLA program for less than he made in Knoxville. The Bruins went 5-7 this past season, and have never appeared in the decade-old College Football Playoff.

And yet, a close family friend refused to say his representatives had led him astray. “His representation hasn’t steered him wrong,” the family friend said. “At the end of the day, what did we do wrong to steer him and put him in a bad situation? We didn’t.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The cast of ESPN College GameDay begins their show prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. The show is the final one for Lee Corso.

OSU Sophomore Wins $250K in McAfee ‘GameDay’ Kicking Contest

The former NFL punter started offering prize money for kicks in 2023.
Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) drops back to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half at Ohio Stadium.

On This Year’s CFB Rosters, Even Backup QBs Make Six Figures

The going rate for backup quarterbacks is in the mid-six-figures.
Mike Gundy

OSU’s Gundy, Oregon’s Lanning Trade Barbs Over Alleged $30 Million Gap

Lanning ripped Gundy’s “excuse” and said “we spend to win.”
Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
September 1, 2025

Bill Belichick’s Star-Studded UNC Coaching Debut Turns Ugly

Michael Jordan highlighted a long list of celebrities in attendance.
September 2, 2025

Less Belichick Hype Could Mean Bad News for CFB Stakeholders

UNC had never begun a football season with so much hype.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 30, 2025

5 of 10 Highest-Paid CFB Coaches Lose in Week 1

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer was the biggest surprise of the Week 1 losers.
August 29, 2025

Cody Campbell Asks Congress to Allow National College Sports TV Package

The billionaire’s ad will air on ESPN and Fox this weekend.
Ohio State mascot Brutus interacts with Lee Corso on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the College Football Playoff first round game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers in Columbus on Dec. 21, 2024.
August 29, 2025

End of an Era: Lee Corso Makes His Final ‘College GameDay’ Appearance

After 431 iconic headgear picks, the iconic coach bids farewell.
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field.
August 28, 2025

Coach Prime Enters Year 3 at Colorado With New Challenges

The Buffaloes have sold out their season tickets yet again.