Nico Iamaleava reportedly wanted more money from Tennessee. The Vols wouldn’t meet his demands, so, Tennessee’s starting quarterback entered the transfer portal.

Iamaleava now needs a new school to pay him to be its starting quarterback, while Tennessee needs a transfer to stay in the playoff contender column for this season.

This public breakup between a quarterback and a school that had invested so much in him encapsulates the college football zeitgeist, as the April free agency period heats up. But, are there any winners in this situation?

On today’s episode, host Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network is joined by GoVols247 senior writer Wes Rucker as they unpack how the Iamaleava-Tennessee union unraveled, and where each goes from here.

Iamaleava remains a talented quarterback with upside, but he would have enjoyed a hotter market for his talents if he had transferred in December.

Tennessee’s outlook becomes cloudy. A lot of starting quarterbacks might be wary of leaving their current situation, to have to learn a new offense with a new team in a short time period. Still, Vols coach Josh Heupel says his team will pursue a transfer. If they land a good one, the new arrival could polish Tennessee’s playoff prospects.

<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/04/16/nico-iamaleava-tennessee-college-football-transfer-portal/83081838007/" aria-label="Link Nico Iamaleava">Nico Iamaleava</a> reportedly wanted more money from Tennessee. The Vols wouldn&rsquo;t meet his demands, so, Tennessee&rsquo;s starting quarterback entered the transfer portal.
Iamaleava now needs a new school to pay him to be its starting quarterback, while Tennessee needs a transfer to stay in the playoff contender column for this season.
This public breakup between a quarterback and a school that had invested so much in him encapsulates the college football zeitgeist, as the April free agency period heats up. But, are there any winners in this situation?
On today&rsquo;s episode, host <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> of the USA TODAY Network is joined by <a href="https://govols247.com/" aria-label="Link GoVols247">GoVols247</a> senior writer <a href="https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/user/wes%20rucker/" aria-label="Link Wes Rucker">Wes Rucker</a> as they unpack how the Iamaleava-Tennessee <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2025/04/14/nico-iamaleava-angered-josh-heupel-tennessee-football/83081558007/" aria-label="Link union unraveled">union unraveled</a>, and where each goes from here.
Iamaleava remains a talented quarterback with upside, but he would have enjoyed a hotter market for his talents if he had transferred in December.
Tennessee&rsquo;s outlook becomes cloudy. A lot of starting quarterbacks might be wary of leaving their current situation, to have to learn a new offense with a new team in a short time period. Still, Vols coach Josh Heupel says his team will pursue a transfer. If they land a good one, the new arrival could polish Tennessee&rsquo;s playoff prospects.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

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