Last fall, Alabama Football lost to Tennessee 27-17. The Crimson Tide could not run against the stiff Tennessee defense, and Alabama hobbled itself with 15 penalties and 115 penalty yards. In 31 carries by Tennessee running backs Dylan Sampson and DeSean Bishop, the pair averaged over 5.6 yards-per-carry.
Those results were the reason Tennessee beat Alabama. The Vols' $8M QB, Nico Iamaleava, played only a supporting role in the Tennessee win. He completed just 51.9% of 27 pass attempts and rushed for 44 yards. Last season, in Knoxville, Tennessee, was the better team. He was also the best quarterback in the game, with only one interception to Jalen Milroe's two. Iamaleava did nothing to justify what has been reported as his $2M-$2.5M compensation. For that much jack a QB should show 'special' ability, and Nico failed to deliver.
There has been no confirmation of how much Nico was slated to earn in a third Tennessee season. The number was probably around $3M. It has been rumored that the Vols sweetened his deal in January to keep him out of the Transfer Portal. Now he wants more, as On3's Pete Nakos reported.
Another On3 source, Andy Staples, listed college football's top 10 quarterbacks for 2025. Nico Iamaleava did not make the top 10. That might suggest the young man is not negotiating from a position of strength. In the current world of college football, the circumstances are exactly opposite. Nico can squeeze the Big Orange for maybe unjustified, but definitely juicy dollars.
Alabama Football fans not sold on Iamaleava
Alabama football fans claim Iamaleava is 'just an above average' quarterback, and certainly not one deserving to be in the $3M-plus club. If Alabama fans feared Iamaleava, they would want another team to steal him from the Vols. Instead, many Crimson Tide fans are hoping Tennessee hangs onto him. Doing so would likely require paying him way more than he is worth. If the Vols have a big season, every dollar spent on Nico will be a good investment. But if he struggles in a couple of big games, and the Vols are not one SEC's top teams, an overpaid QB could splinter the locker room.
Alabama football fans would love Tennessee to pay Iamaleava $5M next season, and in October for the Crimson Tide to crush the Vols in Tuscaloosa.
UPDATE: See the message below from Pete Thamel on Nico being a no-show at practice.
Sources: Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava did not attend Tennessee spring practice today. He’s been in conversations with Tennessee about a new contract. The no-show of practice came as a surprise. pic.twitter.com/VXsXTPDZpu
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 11, 2025
Note: Alabama vs. Tennessee game stats provided by ESPN