A big-name quarterback is up for grabs with less than five months until the 2025 college football season.
Nico Iamaleava entered the transfer portal in early April following a reported NIL contract dispute with Tennessee. While other top quarterbacks have secured deals around $4 million, Iamaleava was reportedly seeking to upgrade his previous arrangement in the $2 million range.
Iamaleava has now left the Volunteers after just one season as their starter, which included a trip to the College Football Playoff.
He immediately becomes the biggest puzzle piece of the spring transfer window. Any team that lands Iamaleava will likely need to commit significant NIL money to secure his services.
As Iamaleava’s availability shakes up college football’s spring portal, here are the latest rumors surrounding the quarterback.
Nico Iamaleava rumors tracker
Iamaleava’s absence pushed Tennessee relationship ‘to the point of no return’
The Athletic reports that once Iamaleava missed Friday’s Tennessee practice, his relationship with the team reached “the point of no return.” Soon after, Iamaleava told his coaches he would be filing his transfer portal paperwork, and coaches informed players Saturday morning before the Vols’ spring game.
The report adds that Iamaleava’s next destination remains “uncertain,” with another SEC school unlikely. Some rumors connect him to UCLA and Texas Tech, though the Red Raiders have reportedly “said they have no interest” in Iamaleava.
Where is Nico going?
Here are a few potential landing spots for Iamaleava after leaving Tennessee.
USC
Iamaleava was born and raised in Long Beach, California. Given the opportunity to join any team showing interest, returning home makes sense, especially since the Trojans lack a clear-cut star at quarterback.
Jayden Maiava is expected to take over as the full-time starter after leading the team to a 3-1 record when filling in for Miller Moss in 2024. But if USC can make the NIL money work, Iamaleava would offer more experience and talent that could help Lincoln Riley find success in the Big Ten.
UCLA
For the same reasons as USC, UCLA would make geographic sense for Iamaleava. The Bruins aren’t coming off a strong season but finished on a 4-2 stretch. They added Joey Aguilar in the transfer portal from Appalachian State, but Iamaleava would represent a much bigger addition.
As The Sporting News’ Bill Bender notes, UCLA may not have the financial resources to land Iamaleava. While he would certainly boost the program and be close to home, whether the Bruins could meet his financial expectations remains questionable.
Oregon
The Ducks’ 2024 quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, has left for the NFL after leading the team to a Big Ten title and CFP appearance last season. While former 5-star quarterback Dante Moore has been waiting behind Gabriel, Bender noted that adding Iamaleava would give Oregon a clear upgrade.
Oregon has brought in transfer quarterbacks successfully under Dan Lanning (Gabriel and Bo Nix), possesses the NIL resources to land Iamaleava, and doesn’t have a veteran passer locked in for 2025.
Iamaleava could help the Ducks pursue back-to-back Big Ten championships.
Notre Dame
Marcus Freeman’s squad is another 2024 playoff team entering 2025 with quarterback questions. Riley Leonard is gone after generating significant offense with both his arm and legs last year.
Steve Angeli currently leads the competition to start for the Fighting Irish, but Iamaleava would offer a higher ceiling and previous starting experience. Notre Dame has avoided bringing in a new 2025 quarterback so far, but Iamaleava might be too significant an opportunity for Freeman to pass up.
Who is Nico Iamaleava’s agent?
Iamaleava does not have an agent. According to The Athletic, Iamaleava’s father, Nic, and a family friend, Cordell Landers were “handling the bulk of the negotiations” with programs and their collectives as his situation at Tennessee unfolded. However, Landers was not involved in the discussions with Tennessee’s collective, the report stated.
