Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the Volunteers are in “energetic” contract negotiations, in line with On3, with Tennessee’s “Orange & White” spring sport and the spring switch portal window simply days away. The timing suggests Iamaleava’s camp is attempting to power Tennessee’s hand, however there is a robust likelihood that the matter will get resolved shortly with out Iamaleava testing the portal. 

The most recent report does at the least forged a shred of doubt on his future in Knoxville, however no matter how the negotiations play out, leaving could be a nasty transfer for Iamaleava. 

Is Nico Iamaleava leaving Tennessee? Observe alongside right here for contemporary information and updates as Vols QB seeks new deal

Whereas the timing of all of it places some strain on Tennessee, it additionally locations Iamaleava behind the 8-ball. There is no doubt that, had been he to hit the portal, loads of suitors could be keen to take a swing on his pedigree, however the market may not be as huge as one would count on. Although outstanding applications with vital NIL struggle chests like Oregon and Ohio State are embroiled in their very own quarterback competitions, neither confirmed any curiosity in a quarterback through the extra strong winter window. There’s an opportunity that they might transfer for a participant of Iamaleava’s caliber, however it appears that evidently these staffs, and staffs at locations like Alabama and Notre Dame, are happy with the choices that they’ve in home. 

A whopping 42 of 68 Energy 4 applications already took a quarterback within the winter switch window. Whereas a few of these had been depth strikes, colleges determined for a brand new signal-caller have already loaded up. 

Maybe someplace like USC would make sense. Iamaleava is a product of Downey, California’s Warren Excessive Faculty. and loads of his household nonetheless reside on the West Coast. Plus, the Trojans do have one thing of a quarterback emptiness after Miller Moss transferred to Louisville. 

Even when Iamaleava had been to finish up at a serious program like USC, he would have loads of catching as much as do over the following few months. Tennessee’s system is kind of completely different than a whole lot of the pro-style schemes that different schools attempt to emulate, so Iamaleava must spend the summer time studying some fundamentals after lacking out on the essential spring interval along with his new workforce. He would additionally need to stability putting in a brand new playbook whereas growing his sport throughout fall camp. Whereas that is a tall job for any quarterback, no matter expertise, Iamaleava solely has what equates to at least one yr of beginning expertise below his belt. 

It is clear that his sport nonetheless wants loads of refinement. He has all of the instruments to be a really particular participant, as evidenced by his blue-chip standing, however Iamaleava’s first yr main Tennessee’s offense left lots to be desired. He had simply 19 touchdowns passing — the bottom whole by a beginning quarterback since Josh Heupel took over at Tennessee — and failed to succeed in 250 yards by the air in 10 out of 13 video games. There’s large development potential with Iamaleava, however he is nonetheless removed from a completed product. 

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John Talty

There are many locations able to growing Iamaleava, however he is already bought a superb state of affairs at Tennessee. Every of Heupel’s final two beginning quarterbacks (Hendon Hooker, Joe Milton) have made it to the NFL and are firmly entrenched with their respective groups. 

Heupel additionally runs a quarterback-friendly offense that limits the quantity of reads whereas scheming simple throws to huge receivers on screens and different beneath routes. That work near the road of scrimmage opens up a good quantity of deep photographs, as properly, permitting Iamaleava the possibility to show his wonderful arm expertise on a constant foundation. 

He is already steeped in Tennessee’s scheme and terminology. There is no “set up interval” that should happen, permitting him to focus completely on improvement and enchancment main as much as the 2025 season. 

Whether or not or not Iamaleava is receiving truthful monetary compensation is a wholly completely different and nearly not possible dialogue, on condition that up to date NIL figures typically aren’t publicized. However one factor is for sure: leaving Tennessee could be unhealthy enterprise.