The Tennessee Volunteers under Josh Heupel were entering their fourth season, and something needed to change for the team. After a devastating 2023 season where the Vols lost 4 crucial games and missed the playoffs, they were looking for answers in place of Milton III. A QB who can provide a dual-round threat in crucial moments and can also be the leader of the locker room and on the field. They got their answer from a player native to Long Beach, California.
Yes, we are talking about Nico Iamaleava. A QB who showed promise the entire season and produced more than 2,600 yards with 358 rushing yards, scoring 3 touchdowns. He wasn’t just the answer to Joe Milton’s spot but was destined to shape his own legacy. For one, the Vols’ new quarterback was just getting started, and he produced a season in his freshman year that Milton couldn’t even match in his final year with Tennessee. For that, there should be some rewards incoming, right?
NEW: Tennessee & Nico Iamaleava are in active contract negotiations ahead of the 2025 season, @PeteNakos_ reports.
It is unclear if the negotiations will impact whether he enters the spring transfer portal.
Intel: https://t.co/hKystSE5ZY pic.twitter.com/8nl3LkbYa6
— On3 (@On3sports) April 10, 2025
It seems like Iamaleava has finally gotten his reward. As per recent reports by ON3’s Pete Nakos, Iamaleava is in “active contract negotiations“. This will see his NIL pay raised quite significantly as opposed to the previous deal the QB signed for $2 million per year. The post shared by ON3 has garnered more than a million views till now, and the Vols fans don’t seem happy about the new contract Iamaleava is getting.
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