Nico Iamaleava negotiations: Tennessee QB NIL demands, Vols stance revealed

ESPN insider Chris Low revealed representation for Tennessee redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava originally sought a huge payday. Representatives looked to increase the quarterback’s NIL deal to the “$4 million range” just before the end of the Winter transfer portal window, per the report, but Volunteers officials “weren’t going to blink.”

According to VolQuest’s Austin Price, Iamaleava was absent from Friday’s Spring practice amid ongoing negotiations with Tennessee to amend the original NIL deal. Iamaleava signed that as a five-star recruit in the 2023 signing class. Iamaleava’s absence Friday morning “came as a surprise” to Tennessee officials, according to fellow ESPN insider Pete Thamel.

Right before the winter portal closed, Iamaleava’s reps wanted to see his deal upped to $4 million range and again this time as the spring portal opens Wednesday, and according to sources, Tennessee officials said they “weren’t going to blink.”

— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 11, 2025

On3 insider Pete Nakos reported Thursday that Iamaleava and Tennessee were in active negotiations on a new NIL deal ahead of the 2025 season. It’s interesting timing from Iamaleava’s camp, especially with the Orange-White Spring game scheduled for Saturday and the Spring transfer portal window opening next week.

Despite the negotiations and Friday absence, sources told Nakos that Iamaleava “is happy at Tennessee and has a strong relationship with head coach Josh Heupel.”

Nico Iamaleava negotiations: New information emerges on Tennessee QB’s absence from practice

Following the VolQuest report Friday morning, Low revealed “growing frustration among the (Tennessee) administration and players” regarding the Iamaleava situation, which only seemed to escalate after Friday’s absence from practice. Low also said Iamaleava’s representation were initially adamant that there was “no NIL renegotiation going on,” a rebuke of Nakos’ original reporting that has since been confirmed.

The ongoing negotiations appear to be an attempt to increase Iamaleava’s current NIL deal with the program, reportedly in the $2.2-2.5 million range according to Nakos, which would already be an improvement on the initial three-year deal Iamaleava reportedly signed in March 2022. At the time, Iamaleava’s deal was considered one of the first significant NIL contracts issued. But the market has since adjusted significantly — especially at the quarterback position.

In his first season as Tennessee’s starting quarterback, Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 358 yards and three more scores on the ground. Iamaleava started every game for the Volunteers in 2024, helping guide Tennessee (10-3) to its first College Football Playoff berth last season.

With Iamaleava expected back for the 2025 season, the Volunteers are considered a serious contender to win the SEC next season. Iamaleava also has +1800 odds to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy, per FanDuel.

— On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this report.