Tennessee is reportedly moving on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleeava one day after Quarterback was a no-show on practice due to NIL contract negotiations.
Main coach Josh Heupel informed the team about the decision to move on from Iamaleeava during a team meeting on Saturday morning, according to ESPN.
Iamaleeava’s decision to skip practice and meetings on Friday was the “driver” of the decision to move on, according to the report.
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Tennessee Volunteers Quarterback Nico Iamaleeava (8) goes off the field after the victory against Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Firstbank Stadium on November 30, 2024. (Steve Roberts-Preferred Pictures)
Iamaleeava’s no-show on practice was a “surprise” for the team, according to the report.
Iamaleeava, 20, enters the transfer portal and is looking for a new team after only one season like Tennessee’s Quarteback, according to On3.
Iamaleeava was allegedly set to earn $ 2.4 million this season, but wanted to renegotiate his deal for $ 4 million a year and skipped practice for a new Nile contract.
Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleeava under control over zero, practice drama
Tennessee Quarterback Nico Iamaleeava (8) throws the ball during the first quarter at Firstbank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday 30 November 2024. (IMagn)
Quarterback was the total recruitment # 23 in the 2023 class, and when he initially signed with Tennessee’s Nil Collective in 2022, Iamaleeava was set to earn $ 8 million during his college career with VOLS.
He was at the offensive coordinator Joey Halze’s house for dinner with his teammates on Thursday night, according to Outkick, which is why his absence from practice and meetings on Friday was such a surprise.
Tennessee Quarterback Nico Iamaleeava (8) leaves the field after the game at Firstbank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday 30 November 2024. (IMagn)
Teammates were concerned about Iamaleeava’s security as he had not responded to texts from teammates or officials, according to the report. Not even 48 hours after dinner with his teammates, Iamaleeava was no longer with the Tennessee Football Program.
In his lonely season as Tennessee’s starting quarterback, the six-foot-sex quarterback vols led to a 10-3 record as a beginner, with 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns and five interceptions.
