In a whirlwind 72-hour period, Tennessee football’s relationship with star quarterback Nico Iamaleava unraveled, culminating in his transfer to UCLA and leaving the Volunteers to reassess their quarterback situation.

The saga began with Iamaleava seeking a significant increase in his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation, aiming to double his annual earnings from $2.4 million to $4 million. This demand strained his relationship with the program, especially after he skipped a crucial Friday practice ahead of the spring game. Head coach Josh Heupel responded by informing the team that they would proceed without Iamaleava . ([Reports: UCLA’s Joey Aguilar headed to Tennessee in QB swap](https://www.reuters.com/sports/reports-qb-shuffle-has-uclas-joey-aguilar-headed-portal-2025-04-21/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [ESPN report exposes what had Tennessee fans furious about Nico …](https://allfortennessee.com/espn-report-exposes-what-had-tennessee-fans-furious-about-nico-iamaleava?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [Tennessee is moving on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava …](https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/1jxhk3p/thamel_sources_tennessee_is_moving_on_from/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Complicating matters, reports emerged that Iamaleava’s representatives had contacted other programs, including Oregon, to gauge interest before he officially entered the transfer portal. Oregon’s staff alerted Tennessee, further eroding trust between Iamaleava and the Volunteers . ([ESPN report exposes what had Tennessee fans furious about Nico …](https://allfortennessee.com/espn-report-exposes-what-had-tennessee-fans-furious-about-nico-iamaleava?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Ultimately, Iamaleava transferred to UCLA, accepting a deal reportedly worth $1.5 million annually—significantly less than his original contract at Tennessee. After accounting for California’s higher tax rates, his net earnings are expected to be around $800,000 . ([Nico Iamaleava’s dramatic NIL dispute with Tennessee cost him millions](https://nypost.com/2025/04/21/sports/nico-iamaleavas-dramatic-nil-dispute-with-tennessee-cost-him-millions/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [Nico Iamaleava to lose nearly HALF of his $1.5 million salary if he joins UCLA – and make 4 times less than he demanded](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/14060355/nico-iamaleava-salary-cut-tennessee-ucla-transfer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

In response, Tennessee quickly secured former UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar, who had recently transferred from Appalachian State. Aguilar brings experience and stability to the Volunteers, having thrown for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns over two seasons . ([Reports: UCLA’s Joey Aguilar headed to Tennessee in QB

Iamaleava’s departure serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of NIL negotiations and the importance of clear communication between athletes and programs. As Tennessee moves forward with Aguilar at the helm, the college football community will watch closely to see how both parties fare in the upcoming season.