Nico Iamaleava Throws Shade at Tennessee With Latest Message
Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava has finally broken his silence on his decision to enter the transfer portal, publicly refuting allegations that he intended to sit out the College Football Playoff game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
'(Expletive) I tried to sit out and throw the playoff game too?" Iamaleava wrote on his Instagram Story on Friday, posting photos from the game. "These boys just make me laugh man ain't no way.'
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He piled on the sarcasm with a photo of himself and teammate Navy Shuler, joking they'd conspired to 'throw this game (real quick)'—complete with laughing emojis.
These posts come in the wake of reports that Iamaleava leveraged his participation in the playoff to negotiate a new NIL deal with the Volunteers. The messages no longer appear on Iamaleava's Instagram Story.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel turns to quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) after their post game interview after winning the Citrus Bowl NCAA College football game on Monday, January 1, 2024 in Orlando, Fla. against Iowa.© Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
On3's Pete Nakos reported that discussions between Iamaleava's camp and Tennessee's NIL collective occurred prior to the Orange and White spring game. After missing practice the next day, head coach Josh Heupel confirmed the quarterback's departure, sparking speculation about his next move.
Now in the transfer portal, Iamaleava's name continues to be linked to the UCLA Bruins. According to Nakos, the deal has yet to be completed, but the smoke around the West Coast interest isn't fading.
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The ongoing saga highlights the tightrope walk of NIL deals in modern college football, which many analysts have pointed out could hamper the growth of the game.
Tennessee may also need to turn to the transfer portal to find the team's next quarterback. If not, Jake Merklinger or George MacIntyre are next in line to win the starting job.
Related: Lane Kiffin Makes True Feelings Known on Ex-Georgia QB Carson Beck
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