Quarterback Nico Iamaleava says "false reports" mischaracterized his motivations for leaving Tennessee, adding that he chose UCLA to play closer to home.

Three months after Nico Iamaleava left Tennessee for UCLA and shook the college football world amidst the most significant contract dispute in the NIL era, the star quarterback finally broke his silence.

Iamaleava sat out portions of Tennessee’s spring practices amid reports that he was looking to redo his name, image and likeness deal with the school. His father disputed the idea that Iamaleava was looking for more money and the QB entered the transfer portal on April 12.

On Thursday, new University of California, Los Angeles quarterback Nico Iamaleava took to the podium for the first time as a Bruin, marking a major shift in how NIL deals can quickly change team dynamics and narratives.

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava had the worst game of his young college career on Saturday night agaisnt Arkansas. He completed 17/29 passes for 158 yards and zero touchdowns. He did not have ...

He's only in his first full season as starting quarterback for No. 4 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0), but Nico Iamaleava has the potential to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. At the moment, he's leading a Volunteers' offense that ranks No. 1 in scoring and No. 3 in yards per game.

Nico Iamaleava turned heads with his drastic decision to leave the Tennessee Volunteers and join the UCLA Bruins for the 2025 college football season. That choice inspired the younger Iamaleava ...

Oct 5, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) passes in the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Tennessee's first loss of the season Saturday night at Arkansas hasn't been easy for the Vols to accept. It has been particularly difficult for Nico Iamaleava, according to one of his teammates ...

Arkansas football is about to face its biggest quarterback challenge to date in Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava, a dual-threat wise beyond his years.