There’s some uncertainty here.
According to a report from On3, Tennessee and quarterback Nico Iamaleava are in ‘active negotiations’ about a new contract ahead of the 2025 season. The report comes at the end of spring practice with the transfer portal set to reopen next week. The portal will be open from April 16th to April 25th.
NEW: Tennessee & Nico Iamaleava are in active contract negotiations ahead of the 2025 season, @PeteNakos_ reports.
It is unclear if the negotiations will impact whether he enters the spring transfer portal.
Intel: https://t.co/hKystSE5ZY pic.twitter.com/8nl3LkbYa6
— On3 (@On3sports) April 10, 2025
It’s notable considering that Nico flirted with the portal back at the end of 2024. Iamaleava ultimately didn’t enter, and most assumed that he had inked a new deal to stay in Knoxville. However, that clearly has yet to happen, and now the two sides are reportedly working to get something done to close out the spring session.
Iamaleava signed an initial deal through Spyre Sports, supposedly worth $2 million per season. With the market constantly on the move and big time transfers receiving big time paydays, the Iamaleava camp may simply want to get on par with others.
A report from CBS Sports on Thursday night refuted the On3 news. Cordell Landers, a family friend, said that the Iamaleava family is happy at Tennessee and with what they have in a contract.
“The family are happy (with Tennessee),” said Cordell Landers, a close friend of the Iamaleavas. Landers is a former assistant director of player personnel at Florida who also works with a number of notable players from California. “There are no (contract negotiations), they’re happy with the contract they have.” (CBS Sports)
CBS also noted that the rumor mill on the west coast had been churning, and whispers of Iamaleava hitting the portal and heading closer to home began last week.
Iamaleava is coming off of his first full season as a starter. The former five-star prospect threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns against five interceptions.
Nico’s father responded with a late night post on Thursday, shooting down the rumors.
More games being played off the field than on the field. Bi7ch Nakos from @On3sports called and asked me directly, I told him I had no idea on what he’s talking about. He said his “close source” that he trusts with his life from the University of Tennessee staff gave him this
— Coach_Nic (@Nic_Iamaleava) April 11, 2025
So there you go. You can choose which side to believe, but that was a pretty strong response late last night from his father.
Iamaleava is set to take part in Tennessee’s Orange and White Game on Saturday, which will officially wrap up the spring period. We’ll see if anything happens from there, with the next round of portalling set to begin on the 16th.