Nico Iamaleava is reportedly heading to UCLA after a dramatic saga leading to Nico transferring out of Tennessee after demanding a significant raise in NIL earnings.
This has led college football fans, coaches, and personalities to share their take on the drama and rumors swirling around the former five-star quarterback for nearly a week.
In the latest dramatic turn, Nico's family told Colin Cowherd his decision to transfer wasn't about the money but Tennessee's offense.
That excuse and narrative flip are laughable. It obviously was about the money and had nothing to do with the offense, and everyone on social media is calling out the Iamaleava camp for its lies and poor decision-making.
Michael Bratton made an impactful statement about the difference in Tennessee and UCLA's offense. The Bruins will be led by a shaky quarterback in Nico, with one of the worst offensive lines in the Big Ten and a depleted roster of skill players.
On3 Sports' Andy Staples shared a similar opinion on Nico's situation, pointing out that Nico is choosing to go from an experienced play-caller and quarterback developer in Josh Heupel to UCLA offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, who will be an OC for the first time in 2025.
While Bratton and Staples offer a more realistic outlook on Nico's future, Matt Grossenbach and dozens of other X users took this time to poke fun at the former Vols quarterback.
I commend Nico Iamaleava for leaving Tennessee to get the NIL for his true market value.
— Matt Grossenbach (@MattGrossenbach) April 16, 2025
Not many guys are humble enough to admit they deserve a pay cut.
If Nico overthrows a receiver but no one is there to see it, did it actually happen? pic.twitter.com/wDbLrPm7v0
— Dylan Holt (@DylanHolt_) April 16, 2025
https://t.co/J3hdwzL0BM pic.twitter.com/eyWmk9PSv0
— Barstool SEC (@SECBarstool) April 16, 2025
Nico Iamaleava 3 days into the transfer portal pic.twitter.com/jyll5HBKR4
— 🦆 B1G Duck Energy 🦆 (@B1GDuckEnergyy) April 15, 2025
The other part of social media chose to call out Nico and his family for their lies, pointing out that the problem wasn't the offense last year but the player running the offense.
Josh Heupel got Joe Milton drafted. It’s not the offense, buddy — it’s you. https://t.co/jAF5QbBJj6
— Blain Crain (@Blain_Crain) April 16, 2025
If Nico and his family are actually leaving Tennessee because of UT’s offense, it’s a good decision. Last year’s offense was slow and not explosive at all.
— Brandon Walker (@BFW) April 16, 2025
Of course it was only that way because Tennessee had an inaccurate QB who couldn’t read defenses, but whatever.
The Vol offense under Josh Heupel that got both Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton drafted? Feel bad for Nico. He’s got awful people advising him. https://t.co/EqSDDc1u2f
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 16, 2025
I'm not sayin "Josh Heupel's offense won't get me ready for the NFL even though like every quarterback he's ever had has gone to the NFL" is a good argument for Nico.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) April 16, 2025
I'm just sayin it sounds better than "Tennessee called my bluff and now I'm at a worse team making less money."
Regardless of where you land on this spectrum of Nico transfer portal observers, it is a lose-lose situation for everyone involved. Nico will walk into a worse situation because of the bad advice from his "camp," and the Vols are still searching for their quarterback for the 2025 season.