KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Former Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava is transferring to UCLA after parting ways with Tennessee football on Saturday before the annual Orange and White game. 

This information comes from a social post from Colin Cowherd. 

I am told — moments ago — Nico Iamaleava is going to UCLA. Family still claims it’s NOT about the 💰It’s about the @Vol_Football offense. I was not told what the Bruins are paying.

— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) April 16, 2025

During his redshirt freshman campaign, Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns against five interceptions. 

Tennessee ultimately chose not to move forward with Iamaleava after he missed Friday’s practice ahead of the Orange and White game and stopped communicating with coaches and teammates. 

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Iamaleava and his camp wanted to renegotiate his NIL deal. The day before the winter portal ended in January, Iamaleava’s representatives asked for his deal to be increased to the $4 million range, but Tennessee did not redo his deal. 

The quarterback’s contract with the university was reported to be $8 million when he signed it. However, the contract’s total value would’ve been closer to $10 million throughout the deal, sources shared with ESPN. 

The sports network also said that Coach Josh Heupel and other staff members had tried to contact the quarterback and his representatives after he was absent from practice and meetings but couldn’t contact him. 

Iamaleava notified offensive coordinator Joey Halzle on Friday night that he was in the process of filling out his paperwork and planned to enter the transfer portal when it opened on April 16, ESPN reported

Sources confirmed to ESPN that officials from the UT have already started talking to third parties tied to potential 2025 replacements for Iamaleava.