Sports

$8 Million Tennessee Vols QB Nico Iamaleava Asks For Raise After Laying Egg Against Ohio State

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© Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava is reportedly negotiating a raise on his $8 million (total) NIL deal after his first full season of starting in Knoxville. Iamaleava, a former five-star prospect, made headlines in 2022 when he signed with the Vols for what was, at the time, rumored to be the largest NIL deal in recruiting history. After redshirting behind Joe Milton in 2023, the California native took the reins for Josh Heupel and co. in 2024.

Iamaleava started the 2024 season strong, even garnering some Heisman Trophy hype. But he struggled down the stretch and went just 14-of-31 for 104 yards in Tennessee’s 42-17 blowout loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

He later teased a potential transfer after teammate and former star wide receiver Squirrel White left the Volunteers for the Florida State Seminoles. Now it appears Iamaleava is set to stay, but under one condition.

Pete Nakos of On3 Sports reports that Iamaeleava is in “active negotiations” with the Vols over his NIL contract. Nakos reports that if the negotiations do not go well, Iamaleava could enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on April 16th.

“The issue at hand is that Iamaleava’s multi-million dollar deal was one of the first large NIL contracts. The market has since adjusted significantly — especially at the quarterback position,” Nakos writes.

Should Iamaleava look elsewhere, 2024 four-star recruit Jake Merklinger would be next in line for the starting job.

In five starts against ranked opponents in 2024, Iamaleava surpassed 200 yards passing just one time. That came in a 51-10 blowout victory over No. 24 NC State, which finished the season with a 6-7 record and well outside the top-25.