Nico Iamaleava transfer: Odds released for star QB's next college team

Nico Iamaleava has instantly become the most discussed person in college football. His time with the Tennessee Volunteers is over, planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal. One season as the starter in Knoxville, a different jersey will be worn during the 2025 season.

BetOnline has produced odds as to who will wind up signing Iamaleava. Eleven programs are included, all of which are members of power conferences.

As a reminder, Iamaleva cannot move to an SEC team and be eligible to play right away. In order to get back on the field, he must leave the conference. On that note, let’s check out who is favored to land the former five-star prospect.

UCLA Bruins (+200)

BetOnline has UCLA as the favorite for Iamaleava. This would place the quarterback back in his home state of California, switching out SEC football for life in the Big Ten.

There is already a relationship between UCLA and the Iamaleava family. Nico’s younger brother, Madden, was committed to the Bruins during his own recruiting process. He eventually flipped to Arkansas but maybe the prior experience helps them with Nico.

North Carolina Tar Heels (+250)

On3’s Pete Nakos labeled North Carolina a “known buyer” in the spring NCAA transfer portal window. Bill Belichick wants to head into the 2025 season with a squad ready to compete in the ACC.

Iamaleava would be the biggest splash of them all. If there is anyone who knows how to handle a situation some have likened to a disgruntled NFL free agent, it’s Belichick.

USC Trojans (+300)

Similar to crosstown rival UCLA, the California connection makes USC an easy name to link with Iamaleava. Mix in the job Lincoln Riley has done with quarterbacks throughout the years and BetOnline gives them the third-best odds.

USC rolled with Jayden Maiava to close out last season, seeing Miller Moss leave for Louisville. Husan Longstreet, a former five-star prospect and true freshman, will be entering his first campaign with the Trojans as well.

Texas Tech Red Raiders (+500)

Not many programs have been as aggressive this offseason as Texas Tech. Current holder of the No. 1 Team Transfer Portal class, Joey McGuire is gunning for the school’s first conference title since the Southwest Conference days.

Adding Iamaleava would be another move showing Texas Tech is willing to win at all costs. Although, Behren Morton does return after playing in all 12 games a year ago.

Colorado Buffaloes (+600)

Deion Sanders brought in a couple of high-profile quarterbacks this offseason, looking to replace Shedeur. Kaidon Slater transferred into the program via Liberty while Sanders pulled off a massive recruiting win with JuJu Lewis.

Hypothetically, adding Iamaleava would add to the star power inside Colorado’s quarterback room. And make the competition even tougher ahead of Sanders’ third season in charge.

Arizona State Sun Devils (+700)

Arizona State is fresh off a Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff appearance. Similar to Iamaleava at Tennessee, the postseason journey was short with a one-and-done.

Tempe has been a place where transfer quarterbacks have landed under Kenny Dillingham. Current starter Sam Leavitt started at Michigan State and former Sun Devil Jaden Rashada came through during his journey.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+900)

When news broke of Iamaleava leaving Tennessee, Notre Dame was a name instantly attached. On3’s Pete Nakos has since provided an update on where the two stand with one another.

Notre Dame has taken a transfer quarterback the last two cycles. Dipping into the SEC would be a new adventure after Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard were both products of the ACC.

Maryland Terrapins (+1100)

Recent seasons have shown Mike Locksley is a great head coach for quarterbacks. Tua Tagovailoa set the Big Ten’s all-time passing record during his time with Maryland. Billy Edwards followed it up in 2025 by throwing for 2,8821 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Edwards is gone, now being a member of the Wisconsin Badgers. Iamaleva would be the second transfer quarterback of the offseason after UCLA’s Justyn Martin joined.

Oregon Ducks (+1200)

Throughout this entire situation, Oregon has been linked. But not because of their potential interest level in Iamaleava. Rumors stated Dan Lanning was the one to tip Tennessee off to Iamaleava’s potentially looking around. To no surprise, Lanning did not publicly comment on them.

“I’m not getting into anything else except — let’s talk about our scrimmage today,” he said. “The Ducks worked really hard at our scrimmage today.”

Cal Golden Bears (+1600)

A third and final California-based team on the list, Cal is listed as a longer shot than their old Pac-12 foes in Los Angeles. However, the Golden Bears are dealing with some quarterback turnover this offseason.

Fernando Mendoza left for Indiana and is expected to be replaced by Ohio State‘s Devin Brown. Viewed as a longshot by the odds, Iamaleava somhow ending up with Cal may throw a wrench in the plans.

Syracuse Orange (+2000)

Fran Brown recently named his starting quarterback. Rickie Collins will lead Syracuse out onto the field this fall after arriving from LSU in December.

Iamaleava landing the upstate New York would bring some more storylines. Syracuse will open the regular season against Tennessee, potentially setting up a game with incredible drama.

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