The college football world was left stunned when news broke that the Tennessee Titans were moving on from star quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Iamaleava reportedly held out of a spring practice session in search of more NIL earnings.
Shortly after news broke that Iamaleava was dismissed from the program, the inevitable news that he was entering the transfer portal followed. Now, it appears that Iamaleava knows his new home, and it seems as if his unhappiness with the Volunteers had nothing to do with pay.
“I am told — moments ago — Nico Iamaleava is going to UCLA. Family still claims it’s NOT about the (money). It’s about the (Volunteers’) offense. I was not told what the Bruins are paying,” reported FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“It was definitely about the money and they are lying. They knew the offense. He’s been there for a couple years. He knows what it is. There’s nothing wrong with it. Nico tried to negotiate for money didn’t he wasn’t worth and he got burned,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“They literally just change the narrative to whatever looks good. Instead saying ‘he’s not getting close to what he made at Tennessee’…just 100% lie about it,” one fan added.
“I will say if this report is true and I’m the Iamaleava family I’m suing someone. However there is has been MULTIPLE reports stating the opposite. I tend to believe the multiple reports and sources. Very interested to see what UCLA is paying,” someone else added.
It’ll be interesting to see how Iamaleava performs with the Bruins.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.