Nico Iamaleava, once a promising quarterback for Tennessee, showed signs of discontent months before his transfer to UCLA. While seeking a significant raise to $4 million in NIL earnings, relationship issues with coaches developed, especially after a disappointing season-ending loss. After skipping practice prior to the spring game, he officially entered the transfer portal, leading to a swift signing with UCLA. This sequence highlights the precarious nature of college football dynamics in the NIL era, where financial pressures play a substantial role.
On Dec. 28, hours before the winter transfer portal window closed, Tennessee sources say Iamaleava's representatives... wanted to increase Iamaleava's pay for 2025 to around $4 million.
Sources close to the quarterback said he needed to take a 'mental break' following the Vols' 42-17 loss to eventual national champion Ohio State.
But while the deterioration of the relationship between Iamaleava and Tennessee was months in the making, the whirlwind that followed his decision to skip practice on April 11 was dizzying.
A little more than a week later, Iamaleava had signed with UCLA.
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