Holdouts are usually reserved for athletes in the professional leagues but that changed on Friday.
According to ESPN’s Chris Low, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is holding out of spring practices since he is seeking an NIL deal worth $4 million per season. The program was “surprised” by the move but Low is also reporting that Tennessee officials “won’t blink.”
Right before the winter portal closed, Iamaleava’s reps wanted to see his deal upped to $4 million range and again this time as the spring portal opens Wednesday, and according to sources, Tennessee officials said they “weren’t going to blink.”
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 11, 2025
Iamaleava currently makes $2 million on his NIL deal and wants it doubled for the 2025 season before the spring portal window opens on April 16. The 2024 season was Iamaleava’s first as a starter and he finished with 2,616 yards through the air, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Dallas Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons saw the news and reacted to it, calling college football a “joke” now.
“College football a joke now! Y’all minds well just make college into a semi-pro league! Actually hold players accountable to the contracts they sign!” Parsons tweeted.
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
College football gets closer to the NFL with each year that passes. Once Pandora’s Box opened up, there was no closing it. Iamaleava may inspire other college athletes to hold out during spring or fall camp since they could also want more money going into the season.
The Iamaleava situation will be one to monitor over the next several days since the spring portal window opens on April 16 and closes on April 25. Players will have nine days to enter the portal and look for other opportunities before it closes.
Iamaleava is a former five-star recruit in the 2023 recruiting class and was the top recruit in his state (California), per 247Sports composite rankings. He was also the second-best quarterback recruit in the country and the third-best overall recruit, regardless of position.
Tennesse got to the College Football Playoff this past season before losing to Ohio State.
Related: Nico Iamaleava’s Contract Demands Revealed Amid Holdout
