Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the Volunteers are in “energetic” contract negotiations, in line with On3, with Tennessee’s “Orange & White” spring sport and the spring switch portal window simply days away. The timing suggests Iamaleava’s camp is making an attempt to drive Tennessee’s hand, however there is a robust probability that the matter will get resolved shortly with out Iamaleava testing the portal. 

The newest report does at the very least forged a shred of doubt on his future in Knoxville, however no matter how the negotiations play out, leaving can be a nasty transfer for Iamaleava. 

Whereas the timing of all of it places some stress on Tennessee, it additionally locations Iamaleava behind the 8-ball. There isn’t any doubt that, had been he to hit the portal, loads of suitors can be keen to take a swing on his pedigree, however the market won’t be as massive as one would count on. Although distinguished applications with vital NIL struggle chests like Oregon and Ohio State are embroiled in their very own quarterback competitions, neither confirmed any curiosity in a quarterback throughout the extra sturdy winter window. There’s an opportunity that they might transfer for a participant of Iamaleava’s caliber, however plainly these staffs, and staffs at locations like Alabama and Notre Dame, are happy with the choices that they’ve in home. 

A whopping 42 of 68 Energy 4 applications already took a quarterback within the winter switch window. Whereas a few of these had been depth strikes, faculties determined for a brand new signal-caller have already loaded up. 

Maybe someplace like USC would make sense. Iamaleava is a product of Downey, California’s Warren Excessive College. and loads of his household nonetheless reside on the West Coast. Plus, the Trojans do have one thing of a quarterback emptiness after Miller Moss transferred to Louisville. 

Even when Iamaleava had been to finish up at a serious program like USC, he would have loads of catching as much as do over the subsequent few months. Tennessee’s system is kind of completely different than quite a lot of the pro-style schemes that different schools attempt to emulate, so Iamaleava must spend the summer time studying some fundamentals after lacking out on the essential spring interval along with his new staff. He would additionally must stability putting in a brand new playbook whereas growing his sport throughout fall camp. Whereas that is a tall activity for any quarterback, no matter expertise, Iamaleava solely has what equates to at least one 12 months of beginning expertise underneath his belt. 

It is clear that his sport nonetheless wants loads of refinement. He has all of the instruments to be a very particular participant, as evidenced by his blue-chip standing, however Iamaleava’s first 12 months main Tennessee’s offense left lots to be desired. He had simply 19 touchdowns passing — the bottom whole by a beginning quarterback since Josh Heupel took over at Tennessee — and failed to achieve 250 yards by the air in 10 out of 13 video games. There’s great progress potential with Iamaleava, however he is nonetheless removed from a completed product. 

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There are many locations able to growing Iamaleava, however he is already received a great state of affairs at Tennessee. Every of Heupel’s final two beginning quarterbacks (Hendon Hooker, Joe Milton) have made it to the NFL and are firmly entrenched with their respective groups. 

Heupel additionally runs a quarterback-friendly offense that limits the quantity of reads whereas scheming straightforward throws to large receivers on screens and different beneath routes. That work near the road of scrimmage opens up a good quantity of deep photographs, as properly, permitting Iamaleava the prospect to show his wonderful arm expertise on a constant foundation. 

He is already steeped in Tennessee’s scheme and terminology. There isn’t any “set up interval” that should happen, permitting him to focus solely on growth and enchancment main as much as the 2025 season. 

Whether or not or not Iamaleava is receiving truthful monetary compensation is a completely completely different and virtually unimaginable dialogue, provided that up to date NIL figures usually aren’t publicized. However one factor is for sure: leaving Tennessee can be dangerous enterprise.