Latest news with #CitrusBowlMVP
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Illinois football to lose Citrus Bowl MVP running back to NCAA transfer portal
Illinois running back Josh McCray will jump into the NCAA football transfer portal when it opens on Wednesday, according to a report by The 6-foot-1, 235-pound mauling back ran for 609 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Illini last season, after three previous seasons in which he produced a combined 761 yards and 4 TDs. Advertisement He was a standout in the Illini 21-17 Citrus Bowl win over South Carolina, during which he rushed for 114 yards and notched a pair of TDs on just 13 carries and was named MVP. Illinois football 2024: Every story from Illini run to Citrus Bowl title CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 2: Josh McCray #6 of the Illinois Fighting Illini breaks away to run for a touchdown during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Memorial Stadium on November 2, 2024 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by) McCray was head coach Bret Bielema's first recruit after taking the Illinois job in December 2020. The Illini have Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin (season-ending hip surgery) plus Ca'Lil Valentine all returning. Illinois has already added incoming freshman running backs John Forster and Cedric Wyche. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: NCAA transfer portal: Illinois football to lose Citrus Bowl MVP running back
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football QB Nico Iamaleava seeks new NIL deal | Report
