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'He's getting terrible advice': NIL lawyer calls out Nico Iamaleava's circle

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•04/14/25•

GrantRamey

Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee Football | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) looks for an open receiver during the NCAA college football playoff game against Ohio State on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio.

The problem for Nico Iamaleava is the people around him, according to Darren Heitner, an NIL lawyer who called out the former Tennessee quarterback’s circle on social media on Sunday.

“Nico Iamaleava needs to put up walls between him and his handlers,” Heitner wrote on X. “Get in front of the negativity and rehabilitate his image asap. I hear he’s a good person. 

“But he’s getting terrible advice. The market for his services in college and potentially at the pro level is collapsing.”

Josh Heupel made the decision for Tennessee Football to move on from Iamaleava after he skipped practice Friday morning and was not in communication with the coaching staff throughout the day. Heupel spoke at length about the Iamaleava situation after Tennessee’s Orange & White Game on Saturday.

On3’s Pete Nakos reported Thursday that Iamaleava was in contract negotiations for a new NIL deal. 

Nico Iamaleava last season: 2,616 yards, 19 TDs and 5 INTs

Nic Iamaleava, Nico’s father, wrote on X late Thursday night refuting the report from Nakos. 

Cordell Landers, described as a close friend of the Iamaleava family, told CBS Sports on Thursday that the family was happy at Tennessee. 

“There are no (contract negations,” Landers said at the time, “they’re happy with the contract they have.”

There have been no updates from the family or from Landers since Saturday morning, when Heupel informed his team that the Vols were moving on from Iamaleava. 

“The silence from his camp since calling journalist Pete Nakos a b*tch is deafening,” Heitner wrote. “Where are the damage control experts? Seems like Nico has people who think they’re the smartest in the room. But they may be in the wrong room. Will Nico figure it out before it’s too late?”

Nico Iamaleava to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Iamaleava will now enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, which opens for the spring window on Wednesday. He ends his Tennessee career 2,930 yards passing, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 63.6% of his passes. 

Iamaleava passed for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions in 13 games last season, his first season as Tennessee’s starter. The Vols went 10-3, ending the season with a 42-17 loss at Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

He was a five-star recruit and the No. 1 overall prospect when he committed to and signed with Tennessee in the class of 2023. 

“The delusion I’ve seen in this specific instance would make you laugh until you realize someone’s career is hanging in the balance,” Heitner said of Iamaleava’s circle. “Then, you really start to feel for the player and pray he replaces the significantly ego-driven individuals with reputable counsel.”

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