In a dramatic twist in the world of college football, quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a recent transfer from Tennessee, is vigorously defending himself against swirling accusations.

After rumors emerged that he deliberately underperformed during the College Football Playoff, Iamaleava took to his Instagram story to set the record straight. With a cheeky tone, he wrote, “Damn I tried to sit out and throw the playoff game too?” followed by three laughing emojis and a snapshot from the team's first-round battle against Ohio State.

He further mocked the absurdity of the claims with another post, sharing a candid moment with fellow quarterback Navy Shuler, jokingly captioning it, “how ima throw this game rq [right quick],” again punctuated with laughter.

These declarations come in the wake of Iamaleava's exit from Tennessee, reportedly fueled by a dispute over his name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. Sources revealed that he was angling for a new contract that would boost his NIL earnings from about $2.25 million to an ambitious $4 million annually.

As negotiations hit a standstill, Iamaleava entered the transfer portal, positioning himself as a hot commodity with UCLA emerging as a potential new home.

Not everyone is on his side, however. NFL star Micah Parsons voiced his frustration on social media, saying, “College football a joke now! Y’all might as well just make college into a semi-pro league! Actually hold players accountable to the contracts they sign!”

Last season, Iamaleava put up impressive stats, throwing for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, along with 358 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

As the drama unfolds, the spotlight remains on Iamaleava and his next move in this ever-evolving landscape of college athletics.