Nico Iamaleava just sent shockwaves through CFB. His exit from the Tennessee Volunteers football team over the weekend wasn’t just surprising — it rattled the entire NIL landscape. Once a prized five-star recruit, Nico is now the hottest name on the board as the spring transfer window opens. His departure reportedly stemmed from a standoff over NIL money — with $4 million said to be the magic number. But there’s a catch. Even if he finds a new home, jumping straight into an SEC starting role won’t be easy. To be honest, the rules — and the drama — are just getting started.

However, some schools might be hesitant to chase a quarterback who wants to quadruple his deal after just one season. But when that QB is Nico Iamaleava, the buzz is hard to ignore. After leading Tennessee to the CFP as a redshirt freshman, he’s officially the hottest name in the transfer portal. And the sportsbooks are already chiming in. Well, UCLA leads the pack with +200 odds to land him, followed closely by UNC at +250. However, Texas Tech and USC aren’t far behind either. Let the sweepstakes begin.

Surprisingly, CU is in the Top 5 odds to land Nico Iamaleava, but Deion Sanders shut that down quick. On Sunday night, Coach Prime made it clear: the Buffs aren’t interested. UCLA, though? That one makes sense. Nico’s a SoCal kid. After 2 years away, a return home would mean playing in front of family, friends, and fans who already know his name. So, with UCLA HC DeShaun Foster leading the way, it feels like the perfect match. But now, as the college football world leans in, Nico’s SEC path takes a twist — and the buzz around a $2.1 million move keeps growing.

On April 15, RJ Young didn’t hold back on his The Number One CFB Show. He fired off takes on Iamaleava’s next move — and why Ohio State shouldn’t be in the mix. He recalled a conversation where the topic was, “Why Nico Iamaleava should not be going to Ohio State?” His reply? “I’m like, hey dog, um, I realize that we talking about a dude that ain’t going nowhere near Oklahoma,” said Young. Then came the twist. The $2.1 million buzz? Yeah, it’s real. And when fans questioned if an SEC-to-SEC move was even possible, Young shut it down, stating, “‘Hey R.J., I heard you say, you know, you can’t transfer inside of conference.’ But that’s not true. Jackson Arnold went from Oklahoma to Auburn. If you can get the waiver, you can go. If you can get a waiver, you can go.” Simply put, if the paperwork clears, the door is wide open.

Here, RJ Young kept the heat coming in the same episode, tossing the big question to Pete Nakos: “Do you think Tennessee would be inclined to grant that waiver [to Nico]?” However, Nakos’ take was pretty honest, stating, “I don’t know, it’s a good question. I don’t think they would turn it down.” Then came the punchline. “I think they would like to go beat up on him if they could. Uh, I think that’s what they would want,” said Nakos. Translation: The Vols might just say yes — not out of kindness, but because they’d love a shot to face him on the field. You can say it’s a bold move, but classic SEC energy.

However, Nico Iamaleava’s next move might not be what he imagined. A spot like Mizzou or LSU could open the door — maybe Tennessee lets it happen, per Young. Maybe they will wash their hands of it. So, that would be the bold, competitive move. Right now, UNC looks like the safest bet outside of UCLA. But let’s be real — this isn’t the path Nico or his camp drew up. And if the advice wasn’t right? That falls on the people he pays to guide him.

As of now, while Nico hunts for a new home, a bombshell Bill Belichick update shakes the football world.

Did UNC shut the door on Nico Iamaleava?

Things can change quickly in the hiring game, and UNC just made a bold move. A crystal ball prediction earlier on Monday pointed to the ACC powerhouse making a play for Nico Iamaleava. So, from Chapel Hill to Knoxville? With Bill Belichick calling the shots at UNC, adding a talent like Nico makes perfect sense. But the UNC isn’t alone in this race. Other schools are eyeing the former Vols star, and the competition is heating up.

But after the hot prediction linking Nico Iamaleava to UNC, things took a sudden turn. Here, Pete Nakos dropped the bombshell: “North Carolina is out of the mix for Tennessee transfer QB Nico Iamaleava.” Instead, the Tar Heels are now eyeing South Alabama’s QB, Gio Lopez, as their top target. Looks like the UNC-Iamaleava train has officially derailed.

However, Nico Iamaleava’s talent is undeniable. The former Vols starter played all 13 games in 2024, throwing for 2,616 yards and 19 TDs. He also added 358 rushing yards and 3 more scores. But with Bill Belichick out of the picture, the race between UCLA and UNC is no longer on. Right now, Nico’s clock is ticking. He has to find his new home before the season kicks off in August.