As a sophomore in 2024, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava led the workforce to their first-ever look within the Faculty Soccer Playoff and a 10-3 general document. However as he heads into his second season as a full-time starter, Iamaleava seems to be holding out.
Austin Worth of Volquest reported on Friday that Iamaleava was absent from Friday’s follow. The absence comes amid ongoing contract negotiations with the workforce over his NIL cash. There may be now rising concern that Iamaleava will depart Knoxville and enter the NCAA switch portal.
This obvious holdout marks probably the most vital holdout of any school soccer participant over NIL cash because it grew to become authorized a number of years in the past. There’s an excellent probability that many extra will comply with within the months and years to come back.
UPDATE: Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava was not at follow this morning, per Volquest's @AustinPricelesshttps://t.co/2kWQHNNrYI https://t.co/IeimvEvYAy pic.twitter.com/rSC8VRQ6Or
— On3 (@On3sports) April 11, 2025
Customers on social media have been disgusted by the holdout choice. Many really feel that that is additional proof that NIL is ruining your entire sport:
“There’s been a whole lot of absurdity within the sport over the previous couple of years. This one is subsequent degree,” one consumer wrote.
“All the pieces flawed with novice school athletics in a single track tweet. Pitiful,” wrote one other.
“When a recruitment is nearly solely primarily based on NIL, this sort of habits is smart. You need to deliver extra to the desk than simply throwing $$ at children. You must be capable to do each,” a 3rd remarked.
“Undecided he did something final 12 months to warrant incomes greater than the seven figures he’s already receiving,” one other added.
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This previous season Iamaleava accomplished 63.8-percent of his passes for two,616 yards and 19 touchdowns with simply 5 interceptions.Â
By far his largest win in 2024 was Tennessee’s massive dwelling win over arch-rival Alabama within the Third Saturday in October recreation. He accomplished 51.9-percent of his passes for 194 yards and one landing whereas including 44 yards on the bottom in a 24-17 win.
Tennessee’s 10 common season wins would see them via to the Faculty Soccer Playoff. Nevertheless, they have been shortly (and considerably simply) crushed by eventual champion Ohio State within the first spherical.
Have we seen the final of Iamaleava in a Vols uniform?
Associated: New Particulars Emerge From Nico Iamaleava NIL Deal That Has Tennessee In Bother
