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Nico Iamaleava seeks new NIL deal as Tennessee QB ahead of transfer portal | Report
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- Nico Iamaleava seeks new NIL deal as Tennessee QB ahead of transfer portal | Report
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is negotiating a new multimillion-dollar NIL deal just ahead of the transfer portal opening on April 16, according to a report Thursday.
It creates a tense situation for the Vols, who finish spring practice with their Orange and White Game on Saturday (2 p.m. ET) at Neyland Stadium.
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On3.com reported that Iamaleava and the NIL collective that pays him on behalf of Tennessee are trying to hammer out a deal this week. He signed a blockbuster NIL contract in 2022, which reportedly paid him more than $2 million per year .
But the market has risen for the highest paid quarterbacks. Miami's Carson Beck and Duke's Darian Mensah got close to $4 million, CBS Sports reported , but they had to go into the transfer portal to get those deals.
Tennessee wants to keep Iamaleava. He has a good relationship with coach Josh Heupel, assistant coaches and his teammates. But this development tosses a snag, even if temporarily, into a pivotal offseason for the Vols and their star quarterback.
Iamaleava's next media appearance is expected after the spring game if UT makes him available. Iamaleava's father did not immediately respond to a Knox News request for comment. Spyre Sports Group, the NIL collective that pays Iamaleava, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Here's what Nico Iamaleava has done so far
For some Tennessee fans, it's a frustrating twist in the Vols' two-year marriage to Iamaleava that began with a blockbuster NIL deal , survived an NCAA investigation and has featured only one season of starting work so far.
Iamaleava, the five-star recruiting gem, took a redshirt in 2023 and started in 2024. He has played 18 games with 14 starts for the Vols.
He has completed 241 of 379 passes for 2,930 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. And he has rushed for 435 yards and six TDs, although three of those scores were in his first start as the Citrus Bowl MVP following the 2023 season.
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Iamaleava passed for 2,616 yards, 19 TDs and five interceptions in 2024. He improved late in the season and led UT to a 10-3 record and its first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Iamaleava stepping into leadership role in 2025
Tennessee is leaning on Iamaleava for leadership heading into the 2025 season, which has been his focus during spring practice.
"They always told me to just be myself. You don't got to be nobody else," Iamaleava said. "(Former UT teammates told me), 'Don't change yourself to try to portray this image of a good leader.' Just be myself, and I think I've done a good job of that."
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Iamaleava is approaching his third season with the Vols, and he'll turn 21 years old in September. He must help replace team leaders like center Cooper Mays , wide receiver Bru McCoy or running back Dylan Sampson.
Of course, Iamaleava is also critical to UT's offense, which averaged 35.7 points per game last season to rank 12th in the nation. The Vols are retooling the offense in spring practice in hopes of returning to the big-play production they had in 2022.
Who are Tennessee's other quarterbacks?
Tennessee has two other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
Jake Merklinger, a former four-star recruit, passed for 48 yards in two games as a freshman in 2024. He was the No. 11 quarterback in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
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George MacIntyre , a four-star recruit, signed with UT in the 2025 class. He arrived on campus last week as an early enrollee. The former Brentwood Academy standout was ranked the No. 9 quarterback in the 2025 class.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football QB Nico Iamaleava seeks new NIL deal | Report
