Nico Iamaleava has suffered backlash ever since he entered the transfer portal in April. Iamaleava announced he is willing to leave Tennessee, which was a huge betrayal for the Vols faithful. He was well established as being called their star quarterback.
There were speculations surrounding the reason for his departure. Many suspected a dispute over his NIL contract with Tennessee. His initial deal was $8 million when he joined from high school.
According to that contract, he was set to get around $2.4 million for the 2025-26 season. Iamaleava’s camp were looking for an increase to approximately $4 million annually. Following that request, Iamaleava started missing Tennessee practices. This eventually led to his departure. He transferred to the UCLA Bruins. However, his newly reported NIL deal is significantly less, estimated at only $1.75 million.
So when Iamaleava and UCLA suffered an upset against New Mexico Lobos, it was all but obvious that fans wouldn’t let that slide. Tennessee fans, especially filled the internet with jokes and mocked their former star QB.
A fan revisited an iconic scene from the blockbuster comedy ‘The Hangover’.
“Nico Iamaleava talking to his dad after the game” the fan captioned the post.
Nico Iamaleava talking to his dad after the game pic.twitter.com/uKtTwdpiXy
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) September 13, 2025
“The Nico Iamaleava doc gonna be so good,” another commented.
The Nico Iamaleava doc is gonna be so good. pic.twitter.com/UBkRR652g2
— Jack Mac (@JackMacCFB) September 13, 2025
“Tennessee fans after 3 straight successful hate watches on Nico Iamaleava,” another fan said.
Tennessee fans after 3 straight successful hate watches on Nico Iamaleava pic.twitter.com/gmMUBZZJRn
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) September 13, 2025
“The good news for Nico Iamaleava is that yeah, he may be losing a ton at UCLA, but at least he’s making way less money doing it,” one user mocked Nico.
The good news for Nico Iamaleava is that yeah, he may be losing a ton at UCLA, but at least hes making way less money doing it pic.twitter.com/GCALG5ANB9
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) September 13, 2025
“Nico Iamaleava really forced his way off a playoff team to make less money and lose to New Mexico in front of 15 people,” another used viral Speed and KSI meme.
Nico Iamaleava really forced his way off a playoff team to make less money and lose to New Mexico in front of 15 people #CFB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/uoLNSiMY9K
— PokeNation (@Big12Pokes) September 13, 2025
Another user joked how Nico didn’t belong in UCLA.
nico iamaleava on ucla pic.twitter.com/aX7VDHCzGj
— 🐻🌹 (@plutobruin) September 13, 2025
— Moose (@VolMoose2) September 13, 2025
One Tennessee fan mocked UCLA’s post of the scoreline.
— Robert McVol (@vol_equalizer) September 13, 2025
Following Friday’s loss to the Lobos, UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava convened a team meeting to announce he will be stepping away from football temporarily to focus on his mental well-being, stating that his heart is not fully invested at this time.
(Via @MikeRegaladoLA) pic.twitter.com/60z9w6ZPcP— No3 Sports (@No3sports) September 13, 2025
“Bro he’s a joke….he should lose his NIL money then,” another posted.
Bro he’s a joke….he should lose his NIL money then.
— MillenialMillionaires (@milmillinetwork) September 13, 2025
Nico Iamaleava’s words after transfer from Tennessee to UCLA
After entering the transfer portal and switched to UCLA, Nico Iamaleava broke silence at the Big Ten Media Days in July about reasons leading up to the season.
“My driving factor to come back home was my family, and I hope every Tennessee fan understands that,” Iamaleava said at Big Ten media days. “It was just a lot of drama, but man, I’m excited to be at UCLA.”
Iamaleava explained the NIL deal was not the reason for his shocking transfer.
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