Sports

Deion Sanders Won’t Play ‘Money Games’ With Nico Iamaleava As Colorado Searches For QB1

#College Football
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Nico Iamaleava pictured beside Deion Sanders.

© Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images / © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images


The college football world has been reacting to the recent drama surrounding Tennessee starting signal caller Nico Iamaleava. The quarterback reportedly held the program hostage with a significant NIL ask ahead of the spring game.

The Vols rejected that demand. They’re willing to let him walk away from the program. Now, he’s headed to the transfer portal in search of another school.

Iamaleava has played in 18 games across two seasons in Knoxville. Last year was his first as the full-time starter. In 13 games, he threw for 2,616 yards and 19 scores while leading the team to the College Football Playoff.

Much of that production came against overmatched competition, though. Iamaleava threw for less than 200 yards in six of eight conference games. He was very average for a large part of the season.

He wasn’t asked to do a ton thanks to a dominant defense that ranked seventh in the nation in points allowed. Iamaleava then laid an egg in the playoff game against Ohio State, posting his worst outing of the year with 104 yards on 45% passing.

Iamaleava is talented. He was considered a five-star recruit upon signing with Tennessee. The Vols recognized that with an NIL deal that was record-setting at the time.

Now, the market has caught up. Nico Iamaleava decided to re-negotiate. He wants more money. Tennessee said, “No.”

Nico Iamaleava will not play for the Vols next season.

Someone else might be willing to open the checkbook, though. It’s been rumored that Iamaleava’s camp had already begun shopping the quarterback around to other schools before being rejected by Tennessee. Dan Lanning at Oregon might’ve been one of those contacted – and also the tipster that set this drama in motion.

If true, Iamaleava could already have an idea of what different schools are willing to offer on the open market. He may already have a small group in mind as it relates to his next destination. Colorado won’t be one of those options.

Deion Sanders responded to a rumor circulating social media created by a parody account. He shut down the idea of Iamaleava suiting up in Boulder.

“Not true and God bless,” he wrote in a repost on X. “We good.”

Deion Sanders is not going to reach out to Nico Iamaleava. He’s content with the players currently in his quarterback room.

Colorado is in the midst of a QB battle this spring between freshman Juju Lewis and transfer Kaidon Salter. Lewis is a five-star talent in his own right. Salter, meanwhile, boasts experience and a track record of success at Liberty.

Early signs point to Salter winning the job. He promised to bring a championship to Boulder, and his experience could give him a leg up in the competition. It would also allow for Lewis to develop and learn for one year before taking the keys from Salter, who’s a one-year rental.

Deion Sanders has two players battling for the QB1 role in Colorado. He’s not interested in adding any drama to the mix. Nico Iamaleava will not be a Buff next year. Sanders made sure to let that be known.