It all started with big numbers. In April, ESPN reported Nico Iamaleava’ s camp pushed for a $4 million NIL deal for 2025. This was almost double his original contract. Tennessee’s collective refused to bite. Then came a missed spring practice, followed by Josh Heupel ‘s cold, public, statement. The Vols were moving on without their 5-star QB of the future. Just like that, the kid once called the golden arm was out of Knoxville. The transfer portal opened its doors and UCLA didn’t hesitate to welcome him home. But there’s still big questions that linger.

By July, the breakup was still the story at the Big Ten Media Days with Nico Iamaleava as the reluctant star. He rocked a blue suit, a diamond watch, and a pink band around his wrist carrying the weight of his mother Leinna’s canc

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