Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava continues to face fallout after skipping practice amid reports his representatives sought a significant pay increase through NIL deals.
According to ESPN’s Chris Low, Iamaleava’s representatives approached other schools while seeking a substantial raise.
“Right before the winter portal closed, Iamaleava’s reps wanted to see his deal upped to $4 million range and again this time as the spring portal opens Wednesday,” Low wrote.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning reportedly alerted Tennessee about the situation.
Sources indicate Iamaleava’s father advised him to skip practice, a decision that effectively ended his Tennessee career.
The five-star recruit now faces uncertainty about his football future.
CBS Sports analyst Josh Pate defended the quarterback while criticizing his representation.
“The people who screwed this up for him, his representation, should do the first dignified thing they’ve done and step up to take the arrows for him,” Pate said. “He’s not the one that got himself into this mess.”
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has been more critical, describing Iamaleava as “toxic” in recent comments.
ESPN analyst Tom Luginbill revealed he had concerns about Iamaleava dating back to his high school recruitment.
“I was really worried, and our staff was too, that there was some red flags and concerns in relationship to the process… it’s been my experience when that starts taking place… it carries over into college,” Luginbill stated. “He’s put himself in a position where now everyone is questioning does he love playing football or does he love chasing money.”
Iamaleava’s options may be limited unless his representatives issue a public statement or he accepts a lower NIL valuation.
The spring transfer portal opens Wednesday, giving the quarterback a narrow window to potentially find a new program.
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