Nico Iamaleava's relationship with Tennessee football has ended ahead of the Vols' Orange & White Game on Saturday afternoon.
Josh Heupel met with the team early Saturday morning in another team meeting that Nico skipped and announced to the team that they are moving on from Nico after the drama resulting in NIL demands over the past couple of days.
Sources: Tennessee is moving on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel informed the team of the decision at a team meeting this morning. Iamaleava missed meetings and practice on Friday, which was the driver of this decision. pic.twitter.com/BsdhJMDXiz
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 12, 2025
Nico Iamaleava is out as Tennessee's quarterback
On Saturday morning, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported the decision and team announcement to conclude the NIL standoff between the Vols and Nico's camp.
It was reported Nico asked for a second raise in his NIL earnings this offseason. His initial agreement set him at $2 million per year, but that was raised to around $2.4 million after the season.
Nico's camp reportedly wasn't satisfied with the spring transfer portal window approaching and demanded $4 million per year.
That put Heupel and the Vols in a tough position, but they stood firm and didn't budge, forcing Nico to miss practice and hold out. That decision hurt Nico more than it helped, as Heupel announced that the Vols would move on from Nico, making Jake Merklinger QB1 for the spring game.
Nico missing Friday's final spring practice seemed to frustrate fellow players, coaches, and administrators throughout the program on top of everything else, and that put the final nail in the coffin, ending the chances Nico would return in 2025.
Heupel had no choice but to make this decision ahead of the spring game and spring transfer portal opening on Monday. He had to put the team first, and ending the Vols' relationship with the former five-star quarterback was what had to be done.
Vols have their sights set on options in the transfer portal
Thamel also reported that Tennessee's NIL collective has already begun preparing offers to other quarterbacks who could enter the spring transfer portal.
It seems like Tennessee might already have its sights set on a star quarterback in college football after yesterday's report that a high-profile quarterback could enter the transfer portal with a "do not contact" tag and head to Tennessee.
While the Vols will ride with Merklinger as QB1 and true freshman George MacIntyre as QB2, it's clear the Vols are prepared to add a quarterback in the transfer portal, whether that be a depth piece or a high-value quarterback to take over the offense.
The Orange & White Game will begin at 2:00 PM ET in Neyland Stadium. The Vols' spring game won't be televised, but you can tune into the Vol Network to listen to the festivities throughout Saturday afternoon.