Nico Iamaleava in transfer portal: Latest news, updates as UCLA emerges as potential landing spot

The latest developments surrounding the situation as the star QB looks for a new home

The Volunteers decided to move on from star QB Nico Iamaleava amid NIL contract negotiations. The talks escalated to the point that Iamaleava did not attend Tennessee's practice Friday ahead of its Orange & White spring game on Saturday, according to 247Sports. On Saturday, coach Josh Heupel informed the team they were heading in a different direction.

CBS Sports named UCLA as a potential suitor for the former five-star prospect's services shortly after news of his departure. That idea has gained traction throughout the week after talks between the Bruins and Iamaleava's representatives. 

The whole saga became public on April 10 when reports emerged that the two sides were working on a new deal. The timing, not only in regards to Tennessee's spring schedule but also with the spring transfer window opening on April 16, is notable.

In the wake of the initial reports, those close to Iamaleava maintained that he was satisfied with his position in Knoxville. That, obviously, turned out to not be the case. 

"The family are happy (with Tennessee)," Cordell Landers, a close friend of the Iamaleavas, told CBS Sports. "There are no (contract negotiations), they're happy with the contract they have."

Iamaleava was the gem of Tennessee's 2023 recruiting class, where he ranked as the No. 2 prospect nationally. Iamaleava landed a reported $8 million NIL deal while the Vols were recruiting him, a landmark figure in the high school recruiting sphere.

With the saga unfolding quickly, keep track of Iamaleava's future with updates below.

CBS Sports will be here to update this story with the latest developments from the Tennessee, Nico Iamaleava situation as they become available. 

The team at GoVols247 is providing on-the-ground updates on every development in the Nico Iamaleava saga and spring practice. In addition to breaking news and scoop, subscribers get insights from Patrick Brown, Ben McKee, Wes Rucker while Ryan Callahan has Vols recruiting on lockdown.

Join today for 50% off an annual VIP membership! 

[Apr 18, 2025 at 10:11 am ET · Matt Zenitz]

No new news on Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

All eyes remain on UCLA, but it's been strangely quiet since Wednesday with no new information of substance since that point. It's officially been one week since Iamaleava skipped Tennessee's pre-spring game practice, spurring coach Josh Heupel's decision to cut ties. 

There are more substantial updates here from myself and Chris Hummer on other top transfers, including Micah Hudson and Kennedy Urlacher. 

[Apr 17, 2025 at 10:52 am ET · Matt Zenitz]

The latest on Nico and UCLA

Thursday morning has arrived and after a Wednesday afternoon that saw multiple reports that UCLA was "expected" to add No. 1 portal prospect Nico Iamaleava we begin what amounts to a waiting game at this point to see if or when this gets finalized and across the finish line with Iamaleava and UCLA. 

Messages were very mixed from both sides of the process Wednesday. If it's not UCLA, the options are quickly going to spin down to the Group of Five level. 

[Apr 16, 2025 at 6:53 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Why UCLA makes the most sense for Nico Iamaleava

There are a handful of reports out there that UCLA is zeroing in on Nico Iamaleava. UCLA was the destination CBS Sports pointed to from the moment he entered the transfer portal last weekend.

The potential addition of Iamaleava is the exact kind of swing UCLA needs to take this offseason. Despite the chaotic logistics of the situation, players like Iamaleava don't grow on trees. He was one of the top recruits coming out of Southern California in 2023, and the upside is still there for him to be an elite quarterback at this level. 

Iamaleava would be working closely with new UCLA offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri. The 36-year-old rising star in the coaching world spent last season as Indiana's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and played a key role in the development of Kurtis Rourke. Indiana finished No. 1 in scoring offense (41.3 points per game) and fourth in yards (426.4) among all Big Ten teams last season.

UCLA's basketball program made a major investment by landing Donovan Dent out of the transfer portal. The football program is on the verge of making a huge splash by landing the No. 1 overall player in the football transfer portal. 

The Bruins added App State quarterback Joey Aguilar this past offseason and he was projected as the starter heading into the fall. The Bruins ranked 15th in yards per game (328.8) and No. 16 in points per game (18.4) among all Big Ten teams. 

In short? Iamaleava is worth the swing.

Nico Iamaleava's transfer destinations: In tight market, where could former Tennessee QB end up?

Cameron Salerno

[Apr 13, 2025 at 10:10 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Why UCLA could make sense for Nico

UCLA's basketball program made a splash in landing former New Mexico star Donovan Dent last month. The price tag to land one one of college basketball's most coveted transfers was around $3 million, sources told CBS Sports' Isaac Trotter.

Could the football program be next to make a big move? The early buzz suggests UCLA will be one of the frontrunners to land the former five-star quarterback.

Out of all the programs listed, the Bruins have the most glaring hole under center. They brought in App State quarterback Joey Aguilar this past offseason, and he projects as the starter heading into the fall. Snagging Iamaleava out of the transfer portal would be a building block for DeShaun Foster heading into Year 2 of his tenure.

Nico Iamaleava's transfer destinations: In tight market, where could former Tennessee QB end up?

Cameron Salerno

[Apr 12, 2025 at 6:19 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

What's next for Tennessee?

What's next for Tennessee? Josh Heupel addresses Nico Iamaleava, future at QB after Volunteers' spring game

Austin Nivison

[Apr 12, 2025 at 5:24 pm ET · John Talty]

Vols will be going portal shopping

To the surprise of no one, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said Saturday his program will need to add a quarterback out of the transfer portal after the loss of Nico Iamaleava. 

"Certainly with only two scholarship players at the quarterback position, we're going to have to find another guy," Heupel said.

Tennessee is in an interesting position now needing another QB -- potentially a starter, really -- ahead of the spring transfer portal window opening up. It has already invested in true freshman QB George MacIntyre and 2026 No. 1 overall recruit Faizon Brandon. Ideally, Tennessee grabs a player with one year left to be a bridge quarterback for the future. Ohio State pulled this off perfectly a year ago in getting Kansas State transfer Will Howard, won a national championship and now the Buckeyes can turn over the offense to former five-star Julian Sayin.

Does that guy exist out there? There have already been rumblings about some potential well-known targets for the Volunteers. Tennessee has the resources to be aggressive if need be knowing that Iamaleava, whose could have made $10 million over the lifetime of his NIL contract with the school's collective, is coming off the books.

There is a belief, though, among some supporters to deploy more of those resources elsewhere, accept that 2025 will be a step back after making the College Football Playoff in 2024 and try to build up a better supporting cast for when Brandon gets on campus. 

[Apr 12, 2025 at 3:30 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Where will Nico Iamaleava play next season?

Nico Iamaleava will take his talents elsewhere during the 2025 college football season after Tennessee moved on from the star quarterback Saturday, ending a high-stakes public standoff centered around Name, Image, and Likeness compensation.  Iamaleava will enter the transfer portal as its No. 1 ranked player, according to 247Sports.

So, where could Iamaleava play next season? Keep an eye on UCLA.  Iamaleava, a Southern California native, is expected to be pursued by UCLA, but people around the football world question whether the program would have the money to make it work, 247Sports reported.

Nico Iamaleava's transfer destinations: In tight market, where could former Tennessee QB end up?

Cameron Salerno

[Apr 12, 2025 at 3:00 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

Josh Heupel addresses Nico Iamaleava's departure 

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel addresses QB Nico Iamaleava's departure: 'No one is bigger than the program'

Austin Nivison

[Apr 12, 2025 at 1:43 pm ET · John Talty]

First look at Vols QB options

With Nico Iamaleava headed to the transfer portal, Tennessee is left with only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster -- redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre. Merklinger has thrown a total of nine passes in college football as the Vols' third-string quarterback last season. MacIntyre was highly-regarded coming out of high school as a four-star and top 20 quarterback, according to 247Sports' rankings, but certainly wasn't expected to have to jump in and play right away.

How the two QBs perform Saturday will be a big talking point moving forward. Tennessee is going to need to add a QB out of the portal regardless -- and has already been weighing its options in the wake of Nico leaving -- but how the two young QBs look now thrusted into potential starting roles could impact how much Tennessee needs to spend on another. With No. 1 overall recruit Faizon Brandon committed the following year, Tennessee may need an experienced bridge quarterback to get them through the 2025 season if Josh Heupel determines neither Merklinger nor MacIntyre is ready to start. 

[Apr 12, 2025 at 12:54 pm ET · John Talty]

Tennessee fans supporting Heupel

All eyes are on Knoxville today for Tennessee's annual spring game as fans will get their first look at what a Nico Iamaleava-less Tennessee offense looks like. There are understandably a lot of emotions and reactions to Tennessee and Iamaleava parting ways amidst the quarterback missing Friday's practice after asking for additional resources. 

In the traditional Vol Walk, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel looked his typically cool and collected self and didn't show any outward signs of his program becoming the biggest national story in college football after Iamaleava's departure. If fan reaction is any indicator -- in Knoxville or on social media -- Tennessee fans support Heupel and his decision to hold the line and let his starting QB walk.

[Apr 12, 2025 at 12:52 pm ET · Matt Zenitz]

Latest smoke on what Nico's going to do

While there's been plenty of speculation in recent weeks — and rumors that have circulated for a decent part of the spring — about Nico Iamaleava possibly transferring to a school like USC or UCLA, we've gotten mixed messages thus far regarding the likelihood of the California native ultimately landing at one of those home-state programs.

It seems like USC may not end up being a real factor in this process based on conversations with sources. Also, considering Iamaleava was looking for his 2025 salary to be upped to about $4 million at Tennessee from what was already in the range of $2.5 million, people around the football world question whether UCLA specifically would have the money to make this work.

It all blends together to form the following consensus: It's too soon to know where Iamaleava is going. Check out my VIP report with Chris Hummer here at 247Sports. 

[Apr 12, 2025 at 12:49 pm ET · Cooper Petagna]

Why we rank Nico as the No. 1 transfer player

Here's the updated scouting report on Nico Iamaleava, who we were high on as a recruit — ranking him No. 2 overall in the 2023 Top247 rankings — and remain high on, pegging him as the nation's No. 1 transfer.

Former five-star recruit with elite physical tools and one of the highest ceilings in college football. A long, athletic frame paired with top-end arm strength makes Iamaleava a prototypical modern quarterback from a traits standpoint. Showed flashes of brilliance during Tennessee's 2024 College Football Playoff run, but overall passing production remained modest (77th nationally in passing offense) in a system that leaned heavily on the run game and defense.

Plays best when allowed to extend plays and improvise, but struggles to consistently operate within structure. Decision-making and timing remain works in progress, particularly on intermediate throws and against disguised coverage. Can be streaky with accuracy and doesn't always play on schedule, but has shown the ability to generate explosive plays when things break down.

Intangibles — including poise, anticipation, and leadership consistency — are still developing. That said, the upside remains massive. With continued growth in processing speed and pocket discipline, Iamaleava has the natural ability to elevate a contender and play his way into Round 1 of the NFL Draft.

[Apr 12, 2025 at 10:36 am ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Major long term implications

The NIL market has been the true Wild West for years with essentially no limits. In one fell swoop, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel reshaped the market. Especially in upcoming era of revenue sharing, there will be serious potential caps and limits on player value. Eventually, it was going to come to a head. Heupel was willing to take the brunt of it, and my expectation is that he will gain serious credibility within his program and athletic department for standing firm. 

One note: My post about this was retweeted by Texas Tech general manager James Blanchard. The Red Raiders have been one of the loudest programs nationally throwing money around during the portal period, making them an oft-speculated program to pursue Iamaleava. However, Texas Tech returns productive quarterback Behren Morton and, in my opinion, will be content to ride into 2025 with a veteran leader. 

[Apr 12, 2025 at 10:02 am ET · Chris Hummer]

Tennessee moving on from Nico 

Tennessee is moving on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, ending a high-stakes standoff that had engulfed the program just days before the spring transfer portal window opens, sources confirmed to CBS Sports. 

Iamaleava's departure, just months after leading Tennessee to the College Football Playoff in his debut as a starter, follows a strange day of tension between the two sides, including a skipped practice on Friday that sources said was not communicated to the coaching staff in advance.

Tennessee moving on from Nico Iamaleava: Vols parting with star QB amid NIL contract dispute

Chris Hummer

[Apr 12, 2025 at 9:54 am ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

So what's next for Nico?

This is truly a wild moment in college athletics. Now to connect the dots. Here are my gut reactions to a few schools that are coming up.

USC: Feels like the only way this can make sense, right? But who knows whether Lincoln Riley would view this as a plug-and-play or rehab project in a must-win year?

Oregon: I just don't see it because they have 2023 five-star Dante Moore there already

UCLA: A sleeper school to me, but he's getting $4 million from UCLA?

Texas Tech: I would not do this. I love Behren Morton and Texas Tech does, too. Save your oil money

North Carolina: Ooo, this makes some sense if the Tar Heels play ball. 

[Apr 12, 2025 at 7:53 am ET · Matt Zenitz]

We await a resolution

The sun will rise Saturday in Knoxville with no official word yet on the Iamaleava saga. Tennessee's spring game is today — nobody expects Iamaleava to be there while these negotiations play out and barrel toward an end result. I spoke with one source on Friday afternoon that said, up to that point, Iamaleava had gone completely dark. GoVols247's Patrick Brown reports some Tennessee sources are "fed up."  

[Apr 11, 2025 at 8:45 pm ET · Patrick Brown]

Friday evening Nico update

I just dropped a note for VIP subscribers over at GoVols247, the gist of it being whether Tennessee feels like this is the point of no return and how Iamaleava's public negotiations are going over in the locker room. Check it out. 

[Apr 11, 2025 at 1:19 pm ET · Matt Zenitz]

Iamaleava was at position group dinner on Thursday night

Coach Josh Heupel wrapped up a meeting with Tennessee's coaching staff mid-day Friday briefing everybody on the situation. 

Sources describe Tennessee as surprised that Iamaleava had skipped practice considering he participated in Tennessee's position group dinners Thursday evening and maintained an air of normality at QBs coach Joey Halzle's house even as news of the contract negotiations went public. 

Alarms went off Friday morning, though, when Iamaleava was not present for the team's pre-practice meeting, which he usually takes in from a seat on the front row.

[Apr 11, 2025 at 12:57 pm ET · Will Backus]

Tennessee's big decision 

On paper, Tennessee's two choices are rather simple: the Vols could either placate Iamaleava and give him whatever he requests to stay, or they can stand their ground and take the risk that Iamaleava leaves via the portal. These types of public contract negotiations are going to grow in frequency as players gain more agency through name, image and likeness reform and the likely introduction of a revenue sharing system, so it may be beneficial for Tennessee to get ahead of the curve and find a way to negotiate an adequate settlement with Iamaleava. After all, he is the Vols' unquestioned starter and losing a player of that caliber this close to the summer would be a huge blow. 

But acceding to Iamaleava could set a dangerous precedent for Tennessee and other schools around the nation, one in which contract negotiations are brought out of the shadows and player opt-outs become more frequent -- just like the NFL. Tennessee also has to evaluate whether or not Iamaleava is worth his demands. The production certainly isn't there yet, but the potential and talent absolutely are. No one knows better than Tennessee whether or not Iamaleava has improved this offseason, and whether or not that improvement warrants a proverbial raise. 

Tennessee is also handcuffed by its options beyond Iamaleava. The Vols really like young quarterbacks like Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre, but Merklinger has barely played entering his second year with the program and MacIntyre is a true freshman. The spring transfer portal probably won't provide many answers, either, though the Vols could at least add some veteran depth. If Tennessee thinks that either of its in-house options could keep the program at least stable in 2025, then potentially letting Iamaleava walk becomes easier, especially since Tennessee could use the resources it saves on other positions and in its efforts to retain quarterback Faizon Brandon, who is currently committed to the Vols as the No. 1 prospect nationally in the 2026 recruiting class. 

So while Tennessee's decision may seem simple, there's a lot at play here as the Vols deliberate their next move. 

[Apr 11, 2025 at 12:15 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iamaleava requesting a big raise 

Iamaleava's desired compensation is in the $4 million range, an increase from the expected $2 million annually that he is making from the NIL deal he reportedly signed in high school, according to ESPN. Iamaleava and his representation also tried to get a pay bump shortly before the winter portal window closed, though the two sides did not reach an agreement. 

[Apr 11, 2025 at 12:03 pm ET · Will Backus]

Should Nico stay or go? 

The latest report does at least cast a shred of doubt on his future in Knoxville, but regardless of how the negotiations play out, leaving would be a bad move for Iamaleava. 

While the timing of it all puts some pressure on Tennessee, it also places Iamaleava behind the 8-ball. There's no doubt that, were he to hit the portal, plenty of suitors would be willing to take a swing on his pedigree, but the market might not be as robust as one would expect.

Read more here: 

Why Nico Iamaleava would be wise to stay with Tennessee, eschew transfer portal amid reported contract talks

Will Backus

[Apr 11, 2025 at 12:02 pm ET · Will Backus]

Iamaleava skips a practice 

As contract negotiations heat up between Iamaleava and Tennessee, Iamaleava was absent from Tennessee's final spring practice Friday. The timing is certainly notable, since the Vols are one day out from their Orange & White spring game, which is the last time the team will take the field together until August. The spring transfer window also opens on April 16, casting some doubt on Iamaleava's future with the program. 

[Apr 11, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET · Chris Hummer]

Contract negotiations go public 

Uncertainty spiked in Knoxville on Thursday as Tennessee's unsteady relationship with starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava went public. A report from On3 described Iamaleava and Tennessee as going through "contract negotiations" ahead of the April 16 opening of the college football spring transfer portal window. On Friday, Iamaleava was absent from Tennessee's practice, according to GoVols247. 

Coach Josh Heupel has not addressed the situation with his staff as a whole as of Friday morning, one source told CBS Sports. 

Tennessee's relationship with QB Nico Iamaleava tested amid contract negotiations, missed practice

Chris Hummer