College football took a wild turn over the weekend with the Nico Iamaleava saga unfolding in Knoxville, Tennessee.
After ranking eighth among SEC quarterbacks in passing yards last season, Iamaleava’s camp was reportedly demanding an NIL deal valued for $4 million, which the Volunteers obviously weren’t going to pay him based on performance alone.
So, instead of bending the knee, Tennessee told Iamaleava that it was probably best that the two parties go their separate ways.
Tennessee made the College Football Playoff last year and is still expected to be competitive in the SEC this fall. For a further look at the FanDuel college football odds, the Vols are 11.5-point favorites over Syracuse in their season opener.
The former five-star quarterback will undoubtedly draw plenty of interest in the transfer portal, and according to BetOnline.ag, there are a few Big 12 teams who could be worth watching in the race to land Iamaleava’s services.
UCLA is currently the leader to land Iamaleava, with 2/1 odds as of Monday, and North Carolina is just behind the Bruins at 5/2.
However, there are three Big 12 teams among the top six best odds, starting with Texas Tech at 5/1 odds. The Red Raiders have been among the most aggressive programs in the transfer portal this cycle, but do have an established starter with Behren Morton coming back in 2025.
Colorado is next with 6/1 odds of landing Iamaleava despite landing Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and incoming five-star QB Julian Lewis. Then, with the sixth-best odds, is Arizona State, with 7/1 odds. Unless Sam Leavitt shocks the Sun Devils and exits the program, it’s hard to see ASU being all that involved in this race.
Iamaleava served as Tennessee’s starter as a true freshman in 2024 and ended the season with 2,616 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions, adding 358 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
The spring transfer portal window will officially open up on Wednesday, April 16.
