Nico Iamaleava Responds to Controversy

For the first time since leaving Tennessee, Nico Iamaleava is setting the record straight. In a resounding declaration against rumors that he attempted to ‘sit out and throw’ the College Football Playoff game against Ohio State, Iamaleava took to Instagram to share his thoughts.

"Damn, I tried to sit out and throw the playoff game too?" he posted, accompanied by three laughing emojis and a snapshot from that pivotal matchup. "These boys just make me laugh, man, ain't no way." His light-hearted approach shows he’s not taking the accusations too seriously.

Playoff Prep and Light-Hearted Banter

Adding to the fun, Iamaleava followed up with a photo of himself chatting with quarterback Navy Shuler before the game in Columbus, jokingly suggesting they were discussing how to throw the game, once again punctuated with laughter.

A Change in Direction: Transfer Portal Move

On Wednesday, Iamaleava officially entered the transfer portal as the spring window opened, marking a significant turn in his college football journey. He currently ranks as the No. 2 player in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. This move came amid reports of active negotiations between him and Tennessee ahead of the spring game, leading to his absence in practice the following day.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel addressed the situation on The Vol Network, stating, "It’s the state of college football. At the end of the day, no one is ever bigger than the program, including me. Let’s move forward and compete with the great group we have."

Eyes on UCLA: What's Next for Nico?

Following his exit from Tennessee, sources have suggested that Iamaleava may commit to UCLA. While there's no official announcement yet, reports indicate both parties are in discussions towards a potential deal.

Promising Future Ahead

Iamaleava began his career as Joe Milton’s backup before stepping up as Tennessee’s starting quarterback in 2024. Last season, he showcased his talent, throwing for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore. As he eyes a leap forward in 2025, he ended the previous season on a high note, making his first career start in the Citrus Bowl and delivering a solid performance with 151 passing yards and three rushing touchdowns.