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The Tennessee Volunteers are now actively looking to add a quarterback through the transfer portal after the unexpected departure of Nico Iamaleava. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel confirmed the team’s plans during a media session on Saturday, noting that with only two scholarship quarterbacks currently on the roster, bringing in another player is a necessity. The announcement came just after the team held its annual spring game, which Iamaleava did not attend.
Iamaleava’s absence from Friday’s practice caught both Tennessee players and coaching staff off guard, raising speculation about his future with the program. Just one day later, reports confirmed that he had decided to leave the team. According to On3, Iamaleava had been seeking a significant increase in his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation — nearly double his reported $2.4 million deal. Sources say he and his representatives were pushing for $4 million, a figure Tennessee ultimately declined to meet.
Negotiations between Iamaleava’s camp and the program reportedly fell apart late in the week, leading to his decision to leave before the Vols’ spring game. ESPN noted that the school was unwilling to meet the quarterback’s new financial demands and chose not to make a counter-offer. “Tennessee wasn’t going to blink and pay him any more money,” a source told ESPN.
Iamaleava, once considered the future of the Tennessee football program, started last season as the team’s primary quarterback and was expected to hold that role moving forward. His sudden exit not only leaves a gap at the position but also alters the team’s trajectory heading into the summer and fall.
Now, with the transfer portal opening soon, Tennessee is shifting its focus to finding a suitable replacement. The coaching staff will look to add depth and possibly a new starter to help guide the offense in the upcoming season. Coach Heupel emphasized the urgency, acknowledging that the team’s depth at quarterback is insufficient for a full season.
This situation highlights the growing influence of NIL in college football, where player compensation can impact roster decisions and team continuity. As NIL deals become more central to player movement, schools like Tennessee are being forced to weigh the cost of retaining talent against budget limitations and program values.
In the meantime, Tennessee is preparing to act quickly once the portal opens, hoping to attract a quarterback who fits their system and can step into a leadership role. The departure of Iamaleava is a major shake-up, but the Volunteers are moving forward with a clear plan to address the vacancy.
