Things ticked up a notch on Friday.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava did not attend practice this morning amid reported contract negotiations. Word got out yesterday that the two sides were negotiating a new deal ahead of the 2025 season, as On3’s Pete Nakos reported.
A rebuttal from Nico’s father last night seemed to smooth things over, but just hours later, Iamaleava didn’t show up for practice. Clearly, the demand for more money is real, which makes the social media post from last night pretty curious.
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
ESPN’s Chris Low is now reporting on the situation, saying that there’s frustration growing between Iamaleava and the administration.
Iamaleava’s reps were adamant Thursday to news outlets that there was no NIL renegotiation going on. But sources tell ESPN there has been growing frustration among the administration and players about the situation, especially when Iamaleava didn’t show for practice.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 11, 2025
Iamaleava flirted with the transfer portal following the end of the season. It was widely believed that he received a new deal to stay in Knoxville, but that never happened. Now with the transfer portal set to open on April 16th, the Iamaleava camp clearly believes they have some leverage here.
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, and according to sources, Tennessee officials said they “weren’t going to blink.”
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 11, 2025
Tennessee has second year player Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre currently behind Iamaleava on the depth chart. If Iamaleava opted to leave, Tennessee would be left scrambling to find a veteran solution in this upcoming brief transfer portal wave (April 16-25).
So Tennessee is left with a choice — essentially double what Iamaleava earns, or let him walk with a ton of unknown at the most important position on the field. It does feel like the Iamaleava camp has all the leverage here.
Very suddenly, this has turned into a tense weekend on Rocky Top.