Nico Iamaleava, a highly-touted quarterback, left Tennessee abruptly after a failed request for a $4 million pay increase, showcasing the volatility of the NIL and transfer portal landscape in college football. He transferred to UCLA, leading to Joey Aguilar's move from UCLA to Tennessee in what was described as an 'unofficial trade.' Iamaleava's move was influenced by his father and representatives, raising questions about his long-term commitment, especially as projections place him as a potential first-round NFL draft pick by 2026. Despite a modest performance at Tennessee, with a 63.8% completion rate and 19 touchdowns, his potential remains, as CBS Sports projects him to possibly join the Pittsburgh Steelers. Iamaleava's future in the NFL will depend on his ability to enhance his performance and résumé while potentially learning under experienced quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, should the latter join the Steelers temporarily.

Nico Iamaleava's surprise departure from Tennessee was precipitated by a denied request for a $4 million salary increase, illustrating the impact of NIL deals in college sports.

Following his transfer to UCLA, Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar moved to Tennessee, creating an 'unofficial trade' that highlighted the fluidity of current transfer regulations.

Iamaleava's decision to leave Tennessee was largely driven by external influences from his father and representatives, which has cast doubt on his future commitments.

CBS Sports projects Iamaleava as a first-round NFL draft pick by 2026, potentially joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are currently lacking a seasoned quarterback.

His last season at Tennessee featured a solid yet unspectacular performance, with a 63.8% pass completion rate, 19 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, reflecting room for growth.

The potential signing of Aaron Rodgers by the Steelers could provide Iamaleava with valuable learning opportunities, though he might also compete with Ohio State's Will Howard for a starting position.

Iamaleava's prospects in the NFL depend on his ability to assemble a stronger résumé and refine his on-field skills to meet high expectations set by his early career rankings.

Nico Iamaleava made headlines weeks ago when he abruptly departed from Tennessee just before the Volunteers’ spring game. The former five-star quarterback reportedly was seeking a pay increase up to $4 million.

Head coach Josh Heupel and the Vols declined.

That sparked one of the wildest developments in college football’s modern NIL and transfer portal era. Iamaleava transferred to UCLA to be closer to home in Southern California. Meanwhile, Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar left the Bruins to become Tennessee’s new quarterback, resulting in what many have dubbed an “unofficial trade.”

"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!" Iamaleava said in an Instagram post.

It was reported that Iamaleava’s departure was largely driven by his father, Nic, and his representatives, who requested a significant pay raise. That alone raises questions about Iamaleava’s long-term commitment—particularly as CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards now projects him as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Not only does Edwards have Iamaleava going pro, he predicts the quarterback will be selected in the top 20—landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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“As of writing this, Pittsburgh has not signed Aaron Rodgers,” Edwards wrote. “The quarterback room is Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and Will Howard right now. A year ago, Iamaleava was almost a foregone conclusion to be a part of way-too-early mock drafts. The 2025 season did not go as anyone expected, and Iamaleava has since transferred back to the West Coast. As with all of these quarterback prospects, Iamaleava has not played at a No. 16 overall level, but the pieces are there if he can put it all together.”

Even if Rodgers signs with the Steelers, it’s expected to be a short-term deal, which could give Iamaleava time to learn from a future Hall of Famer. If not, he could find himself competing with this year’s sixth-round pick, Ohio State’s Will Howard, for the starting job.

Of course, Iamaleava’s NFL hopes hinge on improving his résumé. Last season at Tennessee, he completed 63.8% of his passes for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions—a modest showing for a quarterback once ranked No. 2 nationally in the 2023 class by 247Sports.