Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava absent for spring practice amid reports of wanting new NIL deal

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Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is raising plenty of questions about his future in Knoxville after not attending spring practice on Friday. 

The no-show comes amid reports that the junior is attempting to renegotiate his NIL contract. (Iamaleava's father disputed a report by On3 after it published.) 

Ranked by Rivals as the No. 2 QB in the 2023 recruiting class out of Warren High School in Downey, California, Iamaleava signed a four-year deal to play with the Volunteers for a reported $8 million, with $2.2 million of that to be paid for the 2025 season. 

However, the NIL market for quarterbacks has changed considerably in recent months. Two prominent examples are Carson Beck reportedly receiving $4 million from Miami after transferring from Georgia, while Darian Mensah will get the same in his deal with Duke after he transferred from Tulane.

Iamaleava's absence at spring practice was reportedly unexpected. His attempt to renegotiate his NIL deal has frustrated people within the Tennessee program. Iamaleava's agreement with the Vols Club collective was the richest in college football at the time.