Syracuse Orange WR Trebor Pena’s entry into the transfer portal has drawn comparisons to now-former Tennessee Volunteers QB Nico Iamaleava after head coach Fran Brown’s comments.
The aftermath of Pena leaving Syracuse to enter the transfer portal has only increased in intensity after Brown’s further comments.
Syracuse Head Coach Fran Brown Not Mincing Words Over Trebor Pena’s Departure
In an interview for the Orange Nation show on ESPN Radio with hosts Steve Infanti and Paulie Scibilia on Wednesday, April 16, Brown revealed that Pena asked for a larger NIL deal.
“We paid him enough. He was going to get paid more. There were some numbers that were asked to me that I didn’t feel I would be able to do and move on,” he said, adding, “I treated him right, did everything that was needed, and I just said, ‘Yo, you got to go.’”
Pena recorded 84 catches for 914 yards in his redshirt senior season, also scoring nine touchdowns to add to his career highs. His performance led him to become a team captain and helped lead the Orange to a 10-3 season—their first with 10 wins since 2001. The 6-foot wideout reportedly also had questions about Brown going with LSU transfer Rickie Collins at quarterback this season.
“You gonna make $2 million at wide receiver? That’s the homie at Ohio State (Jeremiah Smith). Ain’t nobody else making that money. I’m not giving no wide receiver $2 million in college. That ain’t me,” Brown continued. “I ain’t doing that unless they tell me we have a chance to have Travis Hunter come back to college. He can come here and play for us, then he gonna get some of my check.”
Brown’s stance comes after the rocky transfer portal experience of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who left the University of Tennessee over a dispute regarding his NIL deal.
KEEP READING: Biggest Surprises to Enter the Transfer Portal This Spring
Iamaleava reportedly wanted $4 million, instead of the $2.4 million he was slated to receive on his original deal. After sitting out the Volunteers’ first spring game, the 20-year-old entered the portal with three years of eligibility remaining. UCLA is considered the favorite to land him, reportedly for less money, according to ESPN.
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