Nico Iamaleava’s departure from the Tennessee Volunteers last month quickly became one of the offseason’s biggest stories, landing him in UCLA to start for the Bruins. The Volunteers brought in UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar to replace him.
Iamaleava’s departure is just one rung of the ever-changing college football landscape, with players having the freedom to move wherever they want in the transfer portal in pursuit of NIL payouts.
Tennessee AD Danny White Addresses Nico Iamaleava’s Departure
Tennessee athletic director Danny White addressed fan concerns at a press conference at the Big Orange Caravan Monday, telling reporters that the team had to do what was best for it.
“I think you continue to try to make the right decisions for the right reasons, and that’s what we’ve tried to do for over four years now,” White said. “And our coaches have tried to do. In this instance, Josh [Heupel], I think, had to make a hard decision, but it usually ends up working out for the best, and our fans really get it.”
“We need to operate the right way. We need to build the right kind of team chemistry and team culture, locker room culture, and all those things. And I know he’s really excited about the guys he’s got in the locker room and the guys he’s got in his quarterback room.”
Iamaleava joined the Volunteers as a five-star recruit in the Class of 2023, reportedly signing an $8 million NIL deal. He backed up Joe Milton as a true freshman, before leading the team to the College Football Playoff in 2024, throwing for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns and adding 358 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
KEEP READING: Paul Finebaum Makes Bold Claim About Josh Heupel’s Job Security After Nico Iamaleava Exit
Iamaleava reportedly left Tennessee in pursuit of an increase in his NIL deal that was between $2.2 and $2.5 million.
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