re: Tennessee is in negotiations with their starting QB currently

t'Athletic

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“I wouldn’t be paying him more than $1 million to $1.5 million,” the NIL collective head said. “He will probably get $3 million-plus. Tough timing though. Gotta imagine most (schools) have spent their budgets.”

That was a commonly shared sentiment. Although some programs may have uncertain quarterback situations, most have committed to their starter for the 2025 season and allocated money accordingly, making it difficult to pivot now. With the House settlement looming and a $20.5 million cap on revenue that schools can share with athletes, many schools have planned their roster budget with that number in mind.

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Multiple staffers didn’t feel Iamaleava was worth what he was getting at Tennessee.

“(I’d pay him) $500,000 with big incentives,” a second Power 4 personnel director said. “He’ll get more than he deserves.”

A Power 4 general manager said Friday he thought Iamaleava was worth “right around what Tennessee’s paying him, possibly even less, maybe $1.5 million to $2 million. Nico isn’t just amazing. There’s a bunch of quarterbacks that are better than Nico.”

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So where could Iamaleava land once he hits the portal? There has been plenty of speculation about UCLA, with the second personnel director guessing that’ll be the destination.

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It has been a popular exercise for some on social media to connect Iamaleava with USC, given Lincoln Riley’s track record with quarterbacks and the fact projected starter Jayden Maiava is still very much a work in progress. But a source briefed on the matter shot down the thought of USC pursuing Iamaleava when it became more apparent his time with Tennessee was coming to an end Friday.

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UCLA going to give him $4M/year?

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No chance

Seems more likely this will be the college football version of Nerlens Noel or DeMarcus Cousins.

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Seems more likely this will be the college football version of Nerlens Noel or DeMarcus Cousins.

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frick

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If it were only football

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This.

I was (ignorantly) hopeful this circus wouldn’t affect college baseball, as that had become my favorite sport and favorite post season over the past several years.

So much for that. Smaller programs even in the diamond sports getting plucked by trial lawyers and boosters looking to buy a WS birth.

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So much for that. Smaller programs even in the diamond sports getting plucked by trial lawyers and boosters looking to buy a WS birth.

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Is NIL going to make "UL" finally admit they're ULL again?

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Has Tenn told this dude to frick off yet?

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Yes

They indeed told him to frick off

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final death nail

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Knell

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Iamaleava

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I Am Leaving. More like Tenna See Ya.

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He's an average player. It would be funnier if FCS teams essentially blackballed him and nobody signs him as a message to every player. But that won't happen

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No one involved in college football (especially those still trying to make their millions) is going to hinder their own self-interests to stand on principle regarding NIL.

People may not like it, but Alabama fans aren’t willing to lose to Auburn over it. Coaches aren’t going to lose a special player that could advance their career over it.

NIL for college programs is like a bunch of gunslingers that don’t trust each other being in a standoff in a saloon. No one wants a bloodbath but no one is willing to lower their gun either because they’re afraid someone else will take advantage and blow their head off instead of doing the same.