Former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava now viewed as one of college football's most hated players

The Tennessee Volunteers football team experienced quite the fiasco at the end of the spring—one that left many shocked, as a beloved hero turned into their worst nightmare. Former starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava decided to leave the program due to a contract dispute. While the exact details have yet to be revealed, it seems the two have moved on from each other.

The primary reason for his departure was a contract issue that wasn’t getting resolved. In fact, Iamaleava attended a position dinner one night, and the very next morning, he was a no-show. Colin Cowherd revealed that Iamaleava didn’t leave for the money; it was simply about the offense.

“I am told — moments ago — Nico Iamaleava is going to UCLA. Family still claims it’s NOT about the money, it’s about the Vol Football offense. I was not told what the Bruins are paying,” Colin Cowherd posted.

Another layer to the Iamaleava saga is that he almost didn’t play in the CFP game against Ohio State, but this information didn’t come out until after the drama started.

“This past December, guys like Nico Iamaleava almost held out of playoff games because they were trying to re-negotiate contracts in the middle of a playoff run,” Josh Pate said.

Iamaleava returned home to California to play closer to his roots after the messy situation. The former Vols QB played a significant role in why the UCLA Bruins are considered one of the spring portal winners. However, the Bruins may soon face a problem.

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Iamaleava is now one of the most hated players in all of college football. Whether it’s primarily Tennessee fans or others, Iamaleava has earned a reputation as a controversial figure. Even some die-hard college football fans aren’t fond of him.

With Iamaleava’s name now associated with disdain, playing on the road in the Big Ten could be a challenge—especially when the Bruins travel to Columbus later in the season.