If Jarrett Guarantano’s football career ever ends, he should try standup comedy.
The former Tennessee quarterback delivered a one-liner on social media Saturday after Nico Imaleava’s departure became news.
“What did I miss?” Guarantano wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding a flushed face emoji.
On Saturday morning, coach Josh Heupel informed the team that the Vols are moving forward without Iamaleava.
The transfer portal opens on April 16. Iamaleava, UT’s one-time blue-chip quarterback, is expected to enter it following what appeared to be a holdout. Iamaleava sought a renegotiation to his NIL deal, which reportedly paid him more than $2 million per year. And then he missed UT’s final practice of spring on Friday and cut off communication with coaches and staff.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
It’s a shocking end to the Vols’ three-year marriage to Iamaleava that began with a blockbuster NIL deal, survived an NCAA investigation and concluded with an underwhelming debut season as the starter.
Iamaleava, the five-star recruiting gem, signed an NIL contract in March 2022 that could’ve paid him more than $8 million by the end of his third year at UT. ESPN’s Chris Low, citing sources, reported that Iamaleava’s representatives wanted his NIL pay increased to $4 million per year, using the possibility of him entering the portal as leverage.
Guarantano, who was frequently criticized by Vols fans during his career, said afterward that he received death threats during the 2019 season.
Guarantano passed for 6,174 yards and 38 TDs over 41 games in four seasons at Tennessee. He made 32 starts with the Vols while losing and regaining the No. 1 role multiple times.
Guarantano finished his college career at Washington State. The 27-year-old Guarantano is now playing for the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL.
The comments that followed Guarantano’s tweet were just as good. Here’s a sample.
Phil Kaplan is sports director for the South Region of the USA TODAY Network and sports editor of the Knoxville News Sentinel.
