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The Tennessee Volunteers find themselves in the crosshairs of the NCAA over NIL practices across multiple sports in the athletic department. Included in an investigation is the football program and its recruitment of a five-star signal caller.
The Vols landed Nico Iamaleava’s signature on signing day last year as he became the headliner of the 2023 class. He’d make an instant impact in Knoxville throwing for 314 yards and two scores.
That included a bowl game start against Iowa where he led UT to a dominant 35-0 victory. In that matchup, he completed 12-of-19 attempts for 151 yards and a touchdown. He added three rushing scores, too.
Expected to assume the starting role in 2024, he’s now become the focal point of an NCAA investigation.
Tennessee has fallen under scrutiny due to potential recruiting and NIL violations, one of which is reported to involve the use of a private jet on one of Iamaleava’s campus visits.
The university responded to allegations on Tuesday, essentially placing all the blame on the NCAA.
Tom Mars, an attorney that dealt with Iamaleava’s rumored $8 million NIL deal, also responded to the news on behalf of the Spyre Sports Group.
On behalf of Spyre Sports Group: @SpyreSports@TheVolClub @JChadHatmaker https://t.co/Sw4pNQHWmA pic.twitter.com/OnE1Z6XXNl
— Tom Mars (@TomMarsLaw) January 31, 2024
Who is Tom Mars?
Mars is a lawyer who previously worked as a director of Arkansas Police and general counsel for Walmart. He also has a notable history in college sports.
The Wall Street Journal broke down some of his previous dealings with both the NCAA and high-profile universities over the years, which now make up a lengthy list.
His past experiences include the scandal at Ole Miss under Hugh Freeze, where he worked to clear the name of former Rebels head coach Houston Nutt.
Mars also played a role in the Big Ten reversing its 2020 COVID decision to postpone the football season, championing for players and voicing their desire to play out the shortened schedule.
Heck, he’s even taken down the likes of Jerry Jones, being successful in a class action suit against the Dallas Cowboys owner in the early 1990s.
Oh yeah, and he’s also bested the NCAA.
Tom Mars was pertinent in NCAA’s transfer rule changes
“When you have Tom Mars on the other sideline, you better buckle up,” – Houston Nutt
USA Today said Mars was the “No. 1 person to credit for the NCAA’s current helplessness on regulating transfers.” His start with helping student-athletes secure waivers for immediate eligibility actually stemmed from his battle with Ole Miss.
After helping Houston Nutt clear his name amid scandal, players looking to transfer out of Oxford reached out in hopes of avoiding penalty and getting back on the field right away with new schools.
He became so successful at gaining immediate eligibility for his clients that the NCAA adapted their rule altogether.
While his plan of action worked in the favor of his athletes, Mars isn’t necessarily happy about what he calls “total chaos” that’s followed.
“That was never my intention to help go from one end of the spectrum to the complete other end of the spectrum. I’m almost apologetic…
“As passionate as I’ve been about freedom for college athletes… There’s no serious organized sports that generate any revenue in the world that doesn’t have some limitation on transfers, some guardrails.”
Still, it’s shown he can go toe-to-toe with college sports’ most powerful governing body and come out on top. The NCAA even took note, later hiring him in an enforcement role as an “independent external advocate.”
That could benefit Nico Iamaleava and Tennessee
Mars’ familiarity with the NCAA can only be an advantage in Tennessee’s case. Not only has he gone to battle against them, but he’s won.
That should bode well for Nico Iamaleava given the lawyer’s connection with the Vol Club NIL collective and his involvement in the quarterback’s NIL dealings.
Given his past success, and his previously referenced statement on the issue, it doesn’t sound like he’s backing down in the investigation.
The NCAA has Tennessee in its crosshairs, but if there’s one man you want on your side, it’s Tom Mars.