Nico Iamaleava Explains Decision To Leave Tennessee And Misconceptions About It Being A 'Financial Thing'

For the first time since leaving Tennessee the day before its spring game, quarterback Nico Iamaleava spoke about his decision to enter the transfer portal, which led him back home to California after a few years in Knoxville. 

It's safe to say that the story around Nico Iamaleava was the most talked-about story in college football during the spring period, with the quarterback deciding to leave the Vols for a return to the West Coast. 

On Thursday, rather than answer questions for him, UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster thought it would be best for Nico to answer for himself, and tell his own story of how he ended up back on the West Coast. 

Nico Says It Was Time To Go After Report Stated It Was A Financial Decision

While there was plenty of uneasiness between Tennessee's side and the Iamaleava family after the Vols participated in the college football playoff, most folks were under the impression that the quarterback would stick it out in Knoxville. 

"My time to leave Tennessee was around the time, probably when the reports came out, just false reports that made me not feel comfortable in the position I was in. But in the back of my head, I always wanted to come back home." Nico told reporters at Big Ten media day. "Being close to my mom and my dad. You know, just have my family for support, their support at games. Like Samoan culture, we're always together, and that was the main thing for me."

When asked to elaborate on what he meant about ‘false reports’ leading to his decision to leave Tennessee, Iamalaeva pointed out that it was the financial aspect that threw him off. 

"Uhh, just false stuff about whether it was a financial thing or not," Nico explained. "You know, my deciding factor to come back home was my family, and I hope every Tennessee fan understands that. It was really one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. But I had to do what was best for me and my family, and ultimately I wanted to come back home and be closer to my family."

Unfortunately for all involved, there was plenty of chatter behind-the-scenes about what could transpire if Nico decided to leave Knoxville. After not showing up for what was seemingly a walk-through before the spring game, Iamaleava went silent, though he was communicating with a few teammates after participating in practice the day before. 

This came after an initial report of Iamaleava's camp and Tennessee being involved in NIlL contract negotiations ahead of the Vols spring game. 

Did Nico's side ask Tennessee to pick up a few pieces from the transfer portal to help out the Vols in 2025 during the winter period? Sure. Was there a financial element at play after helping guide Tennessee to the CFP? Sure, as previously reported, Iamaleva felt he should be paid up to the standard of other playoff quarterbacks.

But, what quarterback wouldn't ask for a raise after leading their team to the playoff? That's not the critical part of this overall story.

As both UCLA and Tennessee prepare for the 2025 season, it's not as if this story is going to disappear. I think it's safe to say that every time each one of them play this season, Nico's name will be brought on numerous occasions. 

Nico Iamaleava Speaks On Misconceptions Related To Tennessee Departure

Speaking for the first time, besides occasional social media posts, Nico Iamalavea was asked about misconceptions around his transfer, and the stories surrounding him leaving Tennessee.  

"Ultimately, it came down to me wanting to be back home, being back home close to my family, while still competing at the highest level.," Nico told local UCLA reporters before hitting the podium. "That's what UCLA provided for me, and yea, I'm excited for this opportunity. 

"I'd say that my decision to leave was extremely hard, one of the hardest decisions i've ever had to make. But, you know, family was the biggest thing to me . A lot of things about financial stuff, you know it was never that. It was me getting back home, closer to my family and playing at the highest level with my families support. I have soman culture, we're always together, and that was a very important thing for me."

Multiple sources told OutKick at the time that there was an uneasy feeling with Iamaleva and his family within Tennessee's building during spring practice, which came after the quarterback was close to entering the portal during the winter period. There has been plenty of talk in the aftermath of his transfer about what some of the key reasons were for his departure, while Vols coach Josh Heupel has pointed toward the guys who wanted to be at Tennessee, compared to those that have left. 

Whether people decide to believe these were the main reasons why Nico decided to leave Tennessee is up to them. And family is obviously a major point of emphasis for the Iamalevaa family, as Nico's brother Madden is now at UCLA as well after transferring from Arkansas. 

"I could have given a better explanation to Tennessee fans, but I thought at the time as it as all happening we were going through some personal stuff, and you want to handle personal stuff privately," Iamaleva told CBS Sports.  

"At this time, I felt it was the right time to speak out. I wish all the Tennessee fans nothing but the best and I really appreciated my time there."

For now, Nico is preparing to play in the Big Ten, while Tennessee is hoping that either Joey Aguilar or Jake Merklinger will be the answer for Josh Heupel's offense this season. 

It's been one crazy offseason in college football.