Texas A&M HC Mike Elko comments on QB Nico Iamaleava's decision to leave Tennessee
Texas A&M's 2025 season is still a little over four months away. Still, the Aggies are preparing to gear up for the annual Maroon & White spring game, which will take place on Saturday afternoon amid the offseason's widespread cancellations of collegiate spring games, which won't be happening in College Station any time soon.
Before the Aggies' final tuneups before the game, head coach Mike Elko spoke to the media and had plenty to say on various current topics, including the state of NIL payments amid former Tennessee starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who was reportedly asking the Volunteers for a new NIL deal worth $4 million. This led Tennessee coach Josh Heupel to move on from the former five-star signal caller.
Advertisement
Elko, like every coach above the age of 45, understands that this is the future of college football, as confusing as it looks, and it won't be conclusive until the House vs. NCAA Settlement is, well, settled. Concerning Iamaleava's decision to enter the transfer portal, Elko kept it brief but noted that the current system is not working.
"You should ask Marcel (Reed) if I had any words on how I would handle a similar situation between him and I.""We're all on the same page across the board. Everybody agrees that the players deserve freedom. Everybody agrees that the current system is not working."
The freedom to choose a different playing destination is not controversial, but until NIL deals are capped, astronomical deals will garner discussions regarding a lack of fairness. Elko won't be the last SEC head coach to comment on this situation, so expect this to continue throughout the summer, leading into July's SEC Media Days.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football HC Mike Elko comments on the Nico Iamaleava saga
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
Karen Weekly discusses college softball tampering, NIL
Karen Weekly discusses college softball tampering, NIL Tennessee softball lost a student-athlete to the NCAA transfer portal following the 2025 season. Redshirt sophomore Taylor Pannell committed to Texas Tech on Thursday. She appeared in 124 games, including 122 starts, for the Lady Vols from 2023-25. Following Pannell's transfer, Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly discussed the NCAA transfer portal and NIL on a social media post Friday. "I think we can all agree on 2 things: 1) women making money in sports is awesome and long overdue; 2) contacting players (directly or indirectly) before their season ends and signing them to NIL deals before they enter the portal is wrong," Weekly said. "Money isn't the issue - tampering is!" Pannell recorded a .351 batting average, 25 home runs, 102 RBIs, 83 runs, 124 hits, 44 walks and 11 stolen bases in three seasons at Tennessee. The Lady Vols advanced to the Women's College World Series in 2023 and 2025, while winning the SEC regular-season championship from 2023-24 and the league's tournament title in 2023. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
G Zakai Zeigler denied fifth season at Tennessee
A Tennessee federal judge rejected Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler's request for a preliminary injunction on Thursday after he sued the NCAA last month for a fifth year of eligibility. The injunction could have let Zeigler, the Volunteers' all-time assist and steals leader, take the court while his lawsuit unfolded in court. Zeigler sued the NCAA for a fifth year, claiming he could lose up to $4 million in NIL money if he isn't allowed to play in 2025-26. The lawsuit argued he will suffer irreparable harm without immediate relief, with schools finalizing rosters and settling NIL deals. "Plaintiff has failed to present sufficient evidence that the Four-Seasons Rule produces substantial anticompetitive effects in the market for student-athlete services and NIL compensation in Division I basketball," judge Katherine Crytzer wrote in her decision. Zeigler filed his suit in the Eastern District of Tennessee. In it, he claimed he could make between $2 million and $4 million in name, image and likeness money in 2025-26 after making $500,000 in 2024-25. "We are disappointed the Court declined to grant a preliminary injunction on the basis that the NCAA does not directly control NIL compensation, just days after the House settlement confirmed they would do exactly that," Litson PLLC and Garza Law Firm, Zeigler's representation, said in a statement. "This ruling is just the first chapter of what we believe will ultimately be a successful challenge." Zeigler, who led the Volunteers to two Elite Eight appearances, set the school career records for assists (747) and steals (251). The three-time All-SEC pick and two-time league defensive player of the year averaged 11.3 points, 5.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 138 career games (83 starts). He graduated this month from Tennessee and plans to pursue a graduate degree. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
UNC football coach Bill Belichick gives early thoughts on the transfer quarterback
During the time period this offseason when many fans were evaluating the idea that the UNC football team could sign ex-Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava, South Alabama transfer QB made himself available and became the Tar Heels' target. Lopez committed to North Carolina and immediately entered a quarterback battle with Max Johnson and freshman Bryce Baker. The 6-foot-0 QB from James Clemens HS in Madison, Alabama, was a three-star prospect out of high school and a three-star prospect, just a two-point differential in rating, according to 247Sports. Advertisement However, Belichick loves the underrated player that he believes can evolve to something better than anyone else believes he is. Now, coach has had time to evaluate that decision and spoke on on what he thought of Lopez. Quoted via Inside Carolina, this is what Belichick had to say when asked about what he thought about Gio Lopez: "Gio was really productive at South Alabama. He's a dual-threat quarterback. He's had plenty of production, yardage, and both running game and passing game experience. Tough kid, played well against some good competition, teams like LSU. So looks like he's definitely ready for this level. And we're excited to work with him, as we are with everybody else." Last season, in Lopez's freshman year at South Alabama, he threw for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns with five interceptions. He finished the season with a 150.8 QB rating and a 66% completion percentage. He averaged 8.2 yards per throw on the mid-major squad. Advertisement Lopez will now enter Power 4 territory and could have the opportunity to be the first starting quarterback under the Bill Belichick era. There is still plenty of practice to go between now and the opening kickoff against TCU in September. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Bill Belichick gives early thoughts on UNC QB Gio Lopez
