Nico Iamaleava seeks new NIL deal as Tennessee QB ahead of transfer portal
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.
Iamaleava's next media appearance is expected after the spring game. 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.
Here's what Nico Iamaleava has done so far
For 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.
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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.
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.
Who are Tennessee's other quarterbacks?
Tennessee has two other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
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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.
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
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