Good ol’ Rocky Top?: Tennessee, Nico Iamaleava Part Ways After NIL Dispute
Vols turn to Jake Merklinger, look ahead to five-star Faizon Brandon in 2026
Tennessee and quarterback Nico Iamaleava are going their separate ways.
The former five-star recruit and face of the Volunteers future is officially in the transfer portal after failed negotiations over a restructured NIL deal, a situation that quickly unraveled behind the scenes over the past week.
Iamaleava, who signed a reported $8 million NIL package to play in Knoxville, skipped practice and team meetings this past Friday. Tennessee, facing growing frustration over the standoff, made the decision to move forward without him.
It’s a shockwave for a program that made its first College Football Playoff appearance last season behind Iamaleava’s steady play. The California native threw for nearly 3,000 yards with 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 2024, living up to his billing as one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country.
What’s Next for Tennessee?
The Vols will presumably hand the offense to redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, a former four-star prospect with a solid grasp of Josh Heupel’s system. Merklinger saw limited action last season but has earned the trust of the coaching staff.
Behind him is true freshman George MacIntyre, one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits in the 2025 class, known for his size and arm talent.
And while Tennessee may explore the transfer portal for depth, the long-term plan remains centered around Faizon Brandon — the No. 1 quarterback in the 2026 class and a player the Vols have been locked in on for over a year now.
Brandon, a product of North Carolina, fits the mold of Heupel’s offense: athletic, accurate, and confident. He remains committed and is expected to enroll early next year.
A New Era in College Football
Iamaleava’s exit highlights the growing challenges of team management in the NIL era. Big money, big expectations, and player leverage are all part of the equation now and Tennessee just became the latest high-profile example.
For the Vols, it’s back to business with a young, promising quarterback room and a fanbase hungry for stability and success.
Iamaleava will land on his feet somewhere, there’s little doubt about that. But in Knoxville, the focus shifts forward.
The highly anticipated Nico Iamaleava era on Rocky Top is officially over!
I am a 22-year-old senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, currently completing my first semester of senior year with an expected graduation in December of 2025. I am pursuing a double major in Sports Law and Finance, along with a minor in Marketing. My lifelong passion for the NFL fuels from a young age as it has been a dream since childhood to become an NFLPA-certified players agent, and while I appreciate every aspect of the National Football League, I am especially devoted to the Philadelphia Eagles.