Tennessee May Replace Nico Iamaleava with a Notre Dame Quarterback.

Nico Iamaleava, a highly touted recruit from the 2023 class, became Tennessee’s starting quarterback in 2024. He led the Volunteers to a 10–3 record and their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. During the season, Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions .(Wikipedia, ESPN.com)

However, in April 2025, Iamaleava entered the transfer portal following a dispute over his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. He had been earning $2.4 million annually under an $8 million contract with Tennessee’s donor collective, Spyre Sports. Seeking a raise to $4 million, Iamaleava missed practices and meetings, leading to his departure from the program .(Reuters, WSJ)

On April 20, 2025, Iamaleava announced his commitment to UCLA, citing a desire for a fresh start and the opportunity to reunite with his brother, Madden Iamaleava, who had previously committed to the Bruins .(ESPN.com)

Despite speculation, Notre Dame did not pursue Iamaleava following his transfer from Tennessee. Head coach Marcus Freeman emphasized the importance of making thoughtful decisions and avoiding transactional moves that could have long-term consequences . Reports indicate that Notre Dame declined to engage with Iamaleava and his representatives, focusing instead on their current quarterback competition .(SI, SI)

In response to Iamaleava’s departure, Tennessee secured a commitment from quarterback Joey Aguilar, who previously played at Appalachian State and UCLA. Aguilar brings experience to the position, having thrown for 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in his college career .(Saturday Down South)

To summarize, Tennessee has not replaced Nico Iamaleava with a Notre Dame quarterback. Iamaleava has transferred to UCLA, and Notre Dame did not pursue him. Tennessee has since added Joey Aguilar to their quarterback roster for the upcoming season.(Fighting Irish Wire, Los Angeles Times)