Three Historic College Football Programs Turned Down Ex-Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava landed with the UCLA Bruins. Before that happened, though, the signal-caller went through a few rejections. ESPN’s Chris Low, Max Olson and Adam Rittenberg reported Wednesday that the Iamaleava family reached out to a lot of different college football programs this offseason to judge the quarterback’s market. The three schools the ESPN reporters mentioned were the Miami Hurricanes, Ole Miss Rebels and Oregon Ducks. All three didn’t appear interested in the quarterback.

“Tennessee sources say they believe the Iamaleavas reached out to several schools, including Miami, Ole Miss and Oregon, to gauge interest,” Low, Olson and Rittenberg wrote. “Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was seemingly able to smooth things over and keep Nico on board for 2025, but the quarterback did not receive a new deal or more money.” Just as things appeared to settle down for Tennessee and Iamaleava, though, the Volunteers received a tip from Oregon. “Before Tennessee’s spring practices began in March, school officials were alerted by Oregon’s staff that Iamaleava’s camp had contacted the Ducks inquiring about their interest, according to sources at Oregon and Tennessee. Oregon told the Iamaleava camp it wasn’t interested,” added Low, Olson and Rittenberg.

The trio of ESPN reporters called Iamaleava-Tennessee divorce “months in the making.” Yet, in part because of Oregon’s role, the quarterback’s decision to transfer appeared to come very suddenly. It’s not entirely clear what kind of NIL deal Iamaleava landed with UCLA. But Low, Olson and Rittenberg wrote the quarterback will receive less than the NIL deal he had with the Volunteers.