Tennessee is reportedly moving forward after the quarterback launched quarterback Nicoia Maleava the day after the quarterback was a no-show in practice to negotiate a contract.
Coach Josh Hapel informed the team of its decision to move on from Iamaleava during a team meeting on Saturday morning, according to ESPN.
The decision to skip practice and meetings on Friday and the decision to move on was the “driver” of the decision to move on, according to the report.
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Tennessee volunteer quarterback Nico Iamareava (8) will leave the field after a second-half victory over Vanderbilt Commodore at First Bank Stadium on November 30, 2024. (Steve Roberts-imagn image)
According to the report, the no-shows at Iamaleava's practice were a “surprise” for the team.
According to ON3, 20-year-old Iamaleava (20) will look for a new team after just one season as Tennessee quartback.
Iamaleava reportedly was set to win $2.4 million this season, but wanted to renegotiate the deal to $4 million a year and skip practice for a new NIL contract.
Nico Iamareava of Tennessee practices drama
Tennessee quarterback Nicoia Mareava (8) will throw the ball in the first quarter on Saturday, November 30th, 2024 at First Bank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. (image)
The quarterback was the 23rd general meeting in the class of 2023, and when he first signed with Tennessee's Nil Collective in 2022, Iamaleava was to earn $8 million in his college career with Vols.
He was at the home of offensive coordinator Joey Hartze for dinner with his teammates on Thursday night. So it was a huge surprise to see the absence of practice and meetings on Friday.
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Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) will leave the field on Saturday, November 30th, 2024 after a game at First Bank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. (image)
Reports revealed that teammates were worried about Iamaleava's safety as they were not responding to texts from teammates or officials. Even 48 hours after dinner with his teammates, Iamaleava stopped participating in the Tennessee Football Program.
In his only season as a starting quarterback for Tennessee, the 6-foot-6-foot quarterback led the Vols to a 10-3 record as a freshman with 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions.
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