So picture this: the college football scene is buzzing like a bunch of bees in a soda can, mostly because of this Tennessee quarterback, Nico Iamaleava. Right after their spring game — it was last Saturday, I think — Coach Josh Heupel dropped the bombshell that they’re basically breaking up with Nico. You know, like when you text, “We need to talk,” and it’s going south from there.
So, here’s the funny thing. Nico totally ghosted the team’s practice and meetings last Friday. Not a peep, not even a “Hey, my bad.” And the guy’s got this new contract itch, but Tennessee? Nope, they weren’t biting. So now, he’s wandering the wilds of the transfer portal, but the offers… well, they’re not exactly rolling in. And do you know Cam Newton? He’s the big-time Heisman dude. He basically called out the, let’s say, questionable advice Nico got about ditching Tennessee for a fatter paycheck. Ouch, right?
But, okay, sidetrack. This Nico kid, back in the day — well, 2023, feels like forever ago — was a four-star high school prospect. Everybody and their grandma wanted him: Oregon, Alabama, Florida, all the big shots. But no, Nico was all about Tennessee, where he snagged this fancy $2.4 million NIL deal. That freshman season, he played five games. Just five.
Come 2024, Nico’s the dude, the starting QB. Tennessee goes 10-2, makes it to the new-look 12-team playoff. Then Ohio State crushes them, 42-17. So, naturally, Nico’s like, “Hey, let’s redo my contract.” But Tennessee? Nada. So his reps — probably his dad, cause who else, right? — start flirting with Oregon, like right before Tennessee’s spring game. Tennessee finds out and is like, “Wow, okay, bye!”
So now Nico’s out there, officially in the transfer portal as of last Wednesday. And Cam Newton’s back, lobbing more criticism, probably aimed at Nico’s dad, who’s doubling as his agent. Family as agents? Sounds like a soap opera. Anyway, you’ve got to wonder: what’s next for Nico? Does he land somewhere cool for the 2025 season, or does this thing blow up gloriously?
