Uncertainty spiked in Knoxville on Thursday as Tennessee's unsteady relationship with starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava went public. A report from On3 described Iamaleava and Tennessee as going through "contract negotiations" ahead of the April 16 opening of the college football spring transfer portal window.

After taking Tennessee to the 2024 College Football Playoffs, NIL negotiations could already be threatening Nico Iamaleava’s time in Knoxville. Ahead of his third year with Tennessee, reports suggest the two sides are still in contract negotiations as the spring college football transfer portal nears.