Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tennessee moving on from starting QB Nico Iamaleava

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 9:01 AM ET

Nico Iamaleava was supposed to be the next great quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers, and for a time, it appeared that he was on track.

He's a former 5-star recruit ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2023 class behind only Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning. In his first full season as a starter, he threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns (five interceptions) while rushing for 358 yards and three touchdowns.

He helped the Volunteers qualify for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, and now, shockingly, Tennessee is moving on from Iamaleava as he enters the transfer portal.

Sources: Tennessee is moving on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel informed the team of the decision at a team meeting this morning. Iamaleava missed meetings and practice on Friday, which was the driver of this decision. pic.twitter.com/BsdhJMDXiz
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 12, 2025

Iamaleava and Tennessee were allegedly in active "contract negotiations" ahead of the 2025 season.

Those negotiations apparently didn't go well because he missed a practice and a team meeting on Friday, leading head coach Josh Heupel to move on from the starting quarterback.

Iamaleava seemed to try to "hold out" like his NFL counterparts, but Heupel and Tennessee didn't want to play the game.

Despite this, Iamaleava will be the most sought-after player on the transfer portal until his next commitment.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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