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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nico Iamaleava says he’s headed for UCLA a week after Tennessee announced the quarterback who helped him reach the college football playoffs last season.
Iamaleava published an Instagram post in UCLA uniform on Sunday.
“My journey at UT is over,” Iamaleava said in the post. “This decision was extremely difficult and honestly, it wasn’t something I expected to make this anytime soon, but I trust God’s timing and I believe he is leading me where I need to be.
Tennessee coach Josh Hepel showed Iamaleava wasn’t part of the team during the spring volunteer match on April 12th. When Heupel learned to Vols that Iamaleava wouldn’t move forward, the coach said it was revealed that the quarterback was a “no show” with no communication with Heupel.
Heupel refused to elaborate on the discussion between Iamaleava and his representatives. According to various reports, Iamaleava had sought a big salary increase in compensation for his name, image and likeness after Tennessee supported the first playoff berth.
In his only season as a starter for Tennessee, Iamaleava completed 63.8% of passes for 2,616 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions last year, helping the volunteers go 10-3. He also rushed for 358 yards and three touchdowns on 109 carries.
He scored 14 of 14 for 104 yards and ran for 47 yards and two touchdowns at the final National Champion Ohio State with a playoff loss in the first round of Tennessee, 42-17.
“Thank you to the incredible people in Knoxville for embracing and encouraging me throughout my time,” Iamaleava said in his Instagram post. “I am forever grateful for the support you have shown me all the steps. I always cherish the relationships I have built there and the memories I have created with my brothers. I sincerely believe that I have done everything I can as a volunteer.
Iamaleava filed an NIL deal in January 2024 that prompted an NCAA investigation and lawsuit by both Tennessee and Virginia attorney generals.
The NCAA resolved the lawsuit on January 31 over rules prohibiting compensation for recruits’ names, images and likenesses.
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AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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