Tennessee football has had a smooth spring camp up to this point. The offense has reportedly been progressing well, with new playmakers on the outside stepping up and making plays, while the defense works on coming into form.
A wrench could be thrown in the wheel of progress for Tennessee's offense with recent news regarding Nico Iamaleava.
On3 Sports and Pete Nakos report that Tennessee and Nico are back in contract negotiations ahead of the Spring transfer portal window.
NEW: Tennessee & Nico Iamaleava are in active contract negotiations ahead of the 2025 season, @PeteNakos_ reports.
— On3 (@On3sports) April 10, 2025
It is unclear if the negotiations will impact whether he enters the spring transfer portal.
Intel: https://t.co/hKystSE5ZY pic.twitter.com/8nl3LkbYa6
This will be the second time since the end of the 2024 season that Nico has looked to enter the portal as he negotiates with the Tennessee football program.
According to the report, Nico is happy at Tennessee, and he has a strong relationship with Josh Heupel, but he's looking to add to his current NIL offering ahead of his sophomore season.
Nico threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns in his freshman season. He was consistent for Tennessee and proved he could be the guy on Rocky Top for the next two years if he builds on his initial success.
But it seems like he's looking to capitalize on his consistency ahead of the 2025 season as he looks to join quarterbacks throughout the country who continue to cash in NIL paydays.
While Nico's relationship with the coaching staff is good, and he's happy at Tennessee, he may still enter the transfer portal if he doesn't get the offer he's looking for in NIL negotiations.
He knows several programs will be looking for a quarterback in the transfer portal and will have the NIL backing to sign Nico at the price he's looking for.
The Vols have done a decent job treading the new era of college football with NIL and the transfer portal, but a misstep in Nico's negotiations could result in the Vols losing their quarterback of the future and players who enter the portal with him.
Nico hopes to have a new NIL deal by the Orange and White Game this Saturday. That game is scheduled to take place on April 12 at 2:00 PM ET in Neyland Stadium. The game won't be televised, but you can tune in to Vol Network's family of stations to listen along to the festivities.