The Tennessee Volunteers and Nico Iamaleava have officially parted ways after a messy and unexpected breakup—one that caught everyone off guard, including head coach Josh Heupel and his staff. Iamaleava made his exit just hours after attending a quarterback dinner, opting not to show up for morning practice the day before the spring game.
“Friday morning when (Nico) is a no-show,” Heupel said when asked about the moment Iamaleava was effectively let go. “You come off the practice field, and there’s no communication.”
Iamaleava faced harsh criticism for his abrupt departure, with speculation mounting that his only chance to continue playing football might be in the UFL.
“If I'm a UFL team, I'd reach out to Nico Iamaleava to gauge his interest in signing. Because, at this point, bridge may be burned in CFB,” Emory Hunt wrote.
Since then, Iamaleava has transferred to UCLA, meaning he’ll now be playing for his hometown team next season. While reports initially pointed to money being the root of the issue, Iamaleava insists it was the offensive system at Tennessee that drove his decision.
“I am told — moments ago — Nico Iamaleava is going to UCLA. Family still claims it’s NOT about the money, It’s about the Vol Football offense. I was not told what the Bruins are paying,” Colin Cowherd posted.
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The situation has continued to escalate, especially after Nico’s younger brother, Madden Iamaleava, also committed to UCLA. Arkansas has since claimed that Iamaleava breached his contract, and legal action is reportedly underway.
Meanwhile, Nico’s sudden exit has left his former teammates stunned. Rising sophomore Boo Carter publicly expressed his frustration, accusing Iamaleava of abandoning the team.
“It was really shocking that he left,” Carter said. “He left his brothers behind. I feel like he should have stayed and at least talked with the coaches.”
Carter’s candid comments highlight how deeply Iamaleava’s departure has impacted the locker room. Carter is expected to be a key player for the Volunteers this upcoming season.