Nico Iamaleava has announced he is transferring to UCLA, just one week after Tennessee confirmed that the quarterback, who played a key role in helping the Volunteers reach last season’s College Football Playoff, was no longer part of the program.
On Sunday, Iamaleava shared an Instagram post of himself wearing a UCLA uniform.
“My journey at UT has come to an end,” Iamaleava wrote. “This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be. Even though this chapter is ending, a new one has begun, and I am committed to UCLA!”
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel had suggested during the team’s spring game on April 12 that Iamaleava would no longer be with the Vols. Heupel mentioned that it became clear the quarterback wouldn’t be part of the team when Iamaleava failed to show up for practice the previous day and did not communicate with the coach.
Heupel chose not to discuss specifics about any conversations with Iamaleava or his representatives. Several reports indicated that Iamaleava had been seeking a substantial increase in his name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation after contributing to Tennessee’s first College Football Playoff appearance.
Last year, in his only season as Tennessee’s starter, Iamaleava completed 63.8% of his passes for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also added 358 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 109 carries, leading the Volunteers to a 10-3 record.
In Tennessee’s 42-17 playoff loss to Ohio State, the eventual national champions, Iamaleava threw for 104 yards on 14 of 31 attempts, and rushed for 47 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
“To the amazing people in Knoxville, thank you for embracing and uplifting me throughout my time there,” Iamaleava said in his Instagram post. “I’ll be forever thankful for the support you showed me every step of the way, and I’ll always cherish the relationships I built there and the memories I created with my brothers. I believe with all my heart that I gave my all as a Volunteer. I’m truly grateful for the time I had at UT.”
Iamaleava, whose NIL deal that brought him to Tennessee sparked an NCAA investigation and a lawsuit from the attorneys general of both Tennessee and Virginia in January 2024, was the subject of scrutiny regarding his recruitment and NIL contract. The NCAA had been investigating both Tennessee and The Vol Club, an NIL collective managed by Spyre Sports Group, over his recruitment and deal.
The lawsuit was settled by the NCAA on January 31 over its rules prohibiting NIL compensation for recruits.
