Nico Iamaleava Transfers to UCLA from Tennessee Amid NIL Dispute

Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has committed to UCLA following a reported dispute over his NIL compensation with Tennessee, where his camp allegedly sought to renegotiate an $8 million deal. His move brings him back to Southern California, where he is expected to compete for the starting quarterback position under new UCLA head coach Deshaun Foster and offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, a former Tennessee assistant. Iamaleava's arrival adds competition to a quarterback room that includes Ethan Garbers and Joey Aguilar, both experienced college players. At Tennessee, Iamaleava's departure leaves the Volunteers with just two scholarship quarterbacks, neither with collegiate starting experience, prompting the team to consider both internal options and transfer portal additions. True freshman George MacIntyre and sophomore Jake Merklinger are now potential candidates for the starting role, with both bringing notable high school achievements and distinct skill sets to the roster. Tennessee’s staff is evaluating these young quarterbacks while also searching for more depth amid this unexpected transition.