NCAAF News: Nico Iamaleava sends heartfelt message to Volunteers after committing to UCLA

Nico Iamaleava has been one of the main storylines in college football over the past few weeks after announcing his decision to enter the Transfer Portal in search of a new team for the upcoming season. With his move to the UCLA Bruins now confirmed, the talented quarterback bid farewell to the Tennessee Volunteers program with a heartfelt message.

What few believed would actually happen has finally come true. Iamaleava will no longer be seen in the NCAAF wearing orange and white, as he has now decided to take his talents to the West Coast. His transfer, however, has sparked endless reactions and stirred up plenty of conversation around the college football world.

Now that his departure from the program is confirmed, the focus shifts to what options Josh Heupel has to replace him—a task that will be anything but easy. For now, the only certainty is that the goal remains unchanged: reaching the National Championship.

Iamaleava’s message to the Vols

With his move to the Bruins now official, it was Iamaleava himself who took to his official X account to share a heartfelt message with the entire Tennessee community, thanking them for their unwavering support throughout his time with the Vols.

Nico Iamaleava #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers drops back to pass during the first quarter of the game againist the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His grace, for continuing to bless my family, and for allowing me to live out my passion each and every day. To the amazing people in Knoxville, thank you for embracing and uplifting me throughout my time there. I’ll be forever thankful for the support you showed me every step of the way and I’ll always cherish the relationships I built there and the memories I created with my brothers. I believe with all my heart that I gave my all as a Volunteer. I’m truly grateful for the time I had at UT.

My journey at UT has come to an end. This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be. Even though, this chapter is ending, a new chapter has begun and I am committed to UCLA!“

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Former Heisman winner Cam Newton issues harsh financial reminder for Nico Iamaleava amid UCLA rumors

The reasons behind Iamaleava’s departure

There has been plenty of talk surrounding the reasons why Nico Iamaleava decided to enter the Transfer Portal ahead of preparations for a new NCAAF season. While it can certainly be seen as a new athletic challenge, the reality is that the quarterback was also seeking an improvement in his NIL deals.

Tennessee and Iamaleava decided to part ways after they couldn’t come to terms on a revised NIL agreement for the quarterback. The redshirt sophomore was reportedly aiming for a $4 million annual NIL deal, a considerable increase from his previous agreement, which was reportedly worth $2.2 million.

Although the agreement between the QB and UCLA Bruins has not yet been reported, one would assume that the West Coast program has likely come closer to meeting the financial expectations set by the player.