Tennessee reportedly misses out on Nico Iamaleava replacement

With the departure of Nico Iamaleava, the Tennessee Volunteers are still scrambling for another quarterback, but will they find one?

On Wednesday, On3’s Pete Nakos reported that TCU QB Josh Hoover isn’t entering the transfer portal. The sophomore was viewed as a potential replacement for Iamaleava, who left the program after a NIL (name, image and likeness) dispute.

Hoover may have been an upgrade over Iamaleava. In 13 games in 2024, the TCU star finished seventh in the FBS in passing yards (3,949) and tied for 16th in touchdown passes (27). 

Iamaleava, meanwhile, tossed 19 TD passes and threw for 2,616 yards in 13 games. However, he faced stiffer competition in the SEC and led the Volunteers to their first College Football Playoff appearance.  

Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger assumed starting QB duties in Tennessee’s spring game after Iamaleava left. According to Rivals’ Noah Taylor, Merklinger completed 6-of-15 passes for 84 yards and two scores. 

Freshman backup QB George MacIntyre finished 12-of-15 passing for 123 yards and three touchdowns, but Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel may not feel comfortable rolling with a 19-year-old as his starter.   

Heupel may not have another choice, though. Many of the top QBs in the 2025 transfer portal have already enrolled. Former Georgia QB Carson Beck signed with Miami, while former Washington State QB John Mateer signed with Oklahoma. 

Tennessee may backslide if it has inexperienced QBs at the helm in 2025. But will the fan base go easy on Heupel if the Volunteers struggle?

“Everybody’s saying, hey, nice job, Tennessee, making a stand. I’ve got a little comment on that,” former Florida/Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said on a Wednesday episode of “The Triple Option” podcast. “Tennessee plays Florida usually every year in October. Can you imagine the game’s going the other way, and Josh Heupel grabs a microphone and stands on the 50-yard line in Neyland Stadium and says, ‘Hey, I made a stand way back when.'”

It’s easy to understand why Heupel wanted to send a message when he moved on from Iamaleava. However, the coach must realize that the move has likely left him without a clear answer at QB.