Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava uses Spidey reference to quiet fears after UCLA transfer

Nico Iamaleava has been making waves ever since he decided to leave the University of Tennessee to transfer to UCLA. 

It was reported on April 16 that the 20-year-old was transferring due to a dispute over NIL money. 

The rising third-year sophomore earned an estimated $2 million per year but wanted $4 million, according to ESPN.  

On Thursday, the college quarterback shared a cryptic message on his Instagram Stories that suggested the strategy he was using to help him get through the transition. 

"Do what scares you until it doesn't," the post said, alongside a picture of Spider-Man. 

Nico included the hashtag "keepmovingnomatterwhat."

He also added Lil Wayne's song "Let It All Work Out" to the post. 

Before leaving the Vols, the college quarterback shared an emotional message on social media. 

"To the amazing people in Knoxville, thank you for embracing and uplifting me throughout my time there. I’ll be forever thankful for the support you showed me every step of the way and I’ll always cherish the relationships I built there and the memories I created with my brothers," Nico wrote in a lengthy Instagram post announcing the news on Monday. "I believe with all my heart that I gave my all as a Volunteer. I’m truly grateful for the time I had at UT."

He called the decision to leave Tennessee "incredibly difficult."

Will Nico Iamaleava's brother Madden be his backup quarterback at UCLA? 

In an interesting turn of events, Nico's younger brother, Madden Iamaleava, has also entered the transfer portal and is predicted to join him at UCLA. 

Madden is a 6-foot-3 freshman who was previously at the University of Arkansas. 

He was a four-star recruit in the 2025 recruiting class. 

The Razorbacks are clearly irritated with Madden's decision to leave. The school has threatened legal action if he doesn't pay his NIL buyout. 

The school's athletic director,  Hunter Yurachek wrote on X on Tuesday, addressing the potential agreement violation. 

"I have spoken with the leadership team at Arkansas Edge and expressed my support in their pursuit to enforce their rights under any agreement violated by our student-athletes moving forward," he wrote. 

"We appreciate the Edge's investment in our student-athletes and acknowledge the enforcement of these agreements is vital in our new world of college athletics. We look forward to continued dialogue with all parties in resolving these matters." 

Arkansas currently leads the SEC with 34 players transferring out since early December.