Oregon Ducks football coach Dan Lanning had strong response to Nico Iamaleava’s transfer portal overture

Tennessee football transfer Nico Iamaleava tried to join Oregon head football coach Dan Lanning’s program back in March, but the Ducks' brain trust denied the blue-chip quarterback’s overtures.

ESPN’s Chris Low, Max Olson, and Adam Rittenberg reported the details of Iamaleava’s failed Oregon bid Wednesday.

“Before Tennessee's spring practices began in March, school officials were alerted by Oregon's staff that Iamaleava's camp had contacted the Ducks inquiring about their interest, according to sources at Oregon and Tennessee. Oregon told the Iamaleava camp it wasn't interested,” ESPN’s editorial staff wrote.

The Ducks avoided what turned out to be tumultuous negotiations between the Vols and Iamaleava’s camp that ultimately went nowhere.

“According to Tennessee sources, talks continued into the spring between the collective and Iamaleava's side. There had been opportunities in place for Iamaleava to make ‘well into the six figures’ in additional NIL earnings, one source said, if he agreed to certain appearances and requests, but he declined to do so,” the ESPN reporters relayed.

“Even though Iamaleava participated in spring practice, sources told ESPN that a general uneasiness still lingered throughout the program and athletic department about whether the quarterback would stick around for the 2025 season.”

Lanning has claimed he isn’t fighting for clicks, but trying to win football games.

Iamaleava is the biggest click-getter in college football right now.

The fit wouldn’t have worked regardless of whether or not Dante Moore was Dillon Gabriel’s ready-and-able successor.