Understanding the angles of Nico Iamaleava and what's next for him
Nico Iamaleava is going to be looked back on as someone we should have appreciated more in the moment, but for now, we have to look at what is happening in front of us and project what is next.
The state of college football is very fragile at the moment. Depending on who you ask, you will either be told that the game is dying in front of our eyes or that it is finally becoming what it was intended to be all this time. Personally, I fall into the second category.
Why? Because I believe in progress, and for college football, that means the game finally accepts the money machine that it has always been will finally include the players as benefactors.
Over the weekend, we had Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava stage the first holdout in college football. He had stated that he wanted more NIL money heading into his Junior year after leading the Volunteers to the college football playoff in 2024. Those requests weren’t met and he skipped practice on Friday ahead of the team’s Spring Game.
That led to Tennessee coach Josh Heupel being forced to make a move that seemed inevitable, given no one had ever been in the situation before. Heupel seemingly kicked his starting quarterback off the team.
While I don’t have a horse in the race, I don’t think either party necessarily did the right gut reaction here.
For Tennessee and Heupel, the situation should never have reached this point in the Spring practices, with the Spring Game being 24 hours later. If this was going to be an issue, they could have had a silent divorce over the Winter rather than a public one now. It would’ve allowed Tennessee to search the portal for a new option and for Iamaleava to find a new home.
Now for Iamaleava, asking for reportedly double his NIL money after the season the run their season ended on is questionable at best. Clearly, his agent was the one pushing for this, we would imagine. I have no first-hand knowledge, but to do it when you end the season disappearing against Ohio State is bold.
This brings me to my final point: College football needs to be more active in determining who can represent these college athletes, the same way the professional leagues are. This situation is the first of many, and that isn’t a bad thing. The college football machine has exploited its players for decades, and it is finally coming to a stop, but it needs to stop in a clean way.
Now for the fun conversation.
Five landing spots that make sense for Nico Iamaleava
When you are a former 5-star recruit, especially at quarterback, you usually have plenty of suitors. According to reports from various outlets, the fact that there were suitors and he was working ahead on the process was part of the problem as well. What that tells me, though, is that he will go somewhere to play day one, or at least compete.
I have five spots in mind for Nico Iamaleava. All of them would be good for him in 2025 at the college level and would help his NFL development.
The Obvious: USC Trojans
Lincoln Riley had his quarterback in Miller Moss in 2024 and lost him in the same year to the transfer portal and the Louisville Cardinals. The USC offense also lost Zacchriah Branch, so this offense needs some juice, some life. Injecting it with an arm like the one that Iamaleava has could give fans some Caleb Williams vibes.
I am not saying that is a comp or that we should expect similar results, but do look for the ball to be flying all over the coliseum. Yes, they have Jayden Maiava, and bringing in Iamaleava could create a domino effect, but Lincoln Riley needs to win now. I think both parties benefit from each other the most, not to mention he homecoming aspect of this move.
The Money: Texas Tech Red Raiders
The oil money has finally made its way to Lubbock, which means extra NIL money for the team. They spent nearly $5 million, so what is a few more dollars for a dynamic quarterback to compete in the Big 12 in 2025? They bring back two starting receivers in Caleb Douglas and Coy Eakin while also adding Reggie Virgil in the transfer portal. This team had a dynamic passing attack in 2024 with Behren Morton, but with all due respect, Iamaleava brings a different dynamic.
If NIL money is what he is looking for, this Texas team, with a clear chip on its shoulder, makes the most sense. I think he makes them a fun team in the Big 12, where they can compete, and Iamaleava benefits from softer defenses away from the SEC to show the NFL what he has.
The Discipline: North Carolina Tar Heels
In a move that may cause fans to either scream “NO” or let out a loud laugh, I like this dynamic. At this point, Nico Iamaleava has an image to repair, and what better way to do that than signing up to be coached by the greatest NFL coach of all time, who was mad enough to drive the greatest quarterback of all time away from New England? I have no idea what this North Carolina team is going to look like in the ACC, but the former 5-star quarterback certainly doesn’t hurt their chances to compete.
A good, strong year with Bill Belichick will show the NFL that he is coachable and can buy into a program. Fairly, or unfairly, he needs to do that, and while most programs can do that for him, no one does it like a team with the NFL bloodlines and connections like that at North Carolina.
The Contender: Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish
The Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish are not losing much talent to the NFL, outside of their leaders on offense and defense. Yeah, that sounded bad when I typed it, and now that you've read it, it probably makes it sound worse. What may sound even worse is replacing someone who competed like Riley Leonard did for Iamaleava, who just held out on his team.
Let’s discuss this. Much like the pairing of Iamaleava with Belichick, Marcus Freeman is also well respected by the NFL and talent evaluators alike. Coming into Notre Dame, he would have to buy into the program, or he will not be playing, plain and simple. Iamaleava could walk into a situation where he has a great offensive line and the best safety valve in the game in running back Jermiyah Love.
Iamaleava could make Notre Dame contend with a softer schedule than some of the other teams on this list and lead them to the playoff once again.
My Personal Favroite: Syracuse Orange
Kyle McCord passed for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns in 12 games with the Ohio State Buckeyes, with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka as his wide receivers. He transferred to Syracuse and had those numbers jump to 4,779 yards and 34 touchdowns without those players. The system and team at Syracuse just produce video game numbers, rejuvenating McCord’s draft stock this year.
I want to see Iamaleava play for Syracuse and with coach Fran Brown and his pro-style play-caller Jeff Nixon. They helped McCord turn into a player that no one expected, and I truly believe they could get the most juice, no pun intended, out of Nico Iamaleava. Sign me all the way up for this pairing and watch this team put up hilarious results in the ACC.
Oh, I almost forgot, Syracuse opens the season on August 30th against the Tennessee Volunteers.