From what I have been reading, Nico is just as much a casualty to all of this as UT is. Apparently all this is because of his father and their agent being greedy and Nico was just following his dad's orders. It has a lot to do with the south Pacific culture and the father as the patriarch. We saw the same thing with Tua at Alabama with his father pulling the strings. This article sums it up. https://atozsports.com/nashville/vo...holdout-family-drama-josh-heupel-dan-lanning/
Vols were paying this kid when he was still in high school? Please tell me this isn't the "recruiting" process these days. Iamaleava was making $2.4 million on a contract that was reported to be $8 million when he signed it. But he started receiving payments when he was still in high school, and the total value of the contract would have been closer to $10 million over the life of the deal, sources told ESPN. Vols, Iamaleava split; 'no one bigger' than team
I don't know anything specific about South Pacific culture . . . but it seems like there's now a desperate P.R. campaign to save the QB's image and paint the father as the bad guy. Maybe because the kid is radioactive with the way this happened? The young man was over 18, could speak and act for himself, but I am surprised in the often "anything goes" world of NIL that UcheaT was paying a high school kid $Millions. I live amongst them (vollies) and that will not go over well with a lot of people.
West coast coaches are already making "not interested" overture's. While I certainly am not in command of what happened, one thing is undeniable, the Nico camp, whomever is in charge, has committed a serious blunder in terms of timing and the anticipated media reaction to it. I personally belive Nico will regret how this went down, especially in terms of $$$. UT appears to be the aggreved party in the medias eyes, ergo the publics perception. Finally, as has been pointed out, Nico's on the field performance last season did not warrant a 40% raise. Not even close. For once I sympathize with the Vols in this particular situation.
Unless they had offers in hand, I don’t understand why they overplayed their hand. I’d be shocked if he comes out with a better situation.
Events like this might cause some players not to push too hard. I can't believe a single player is making millions in college football but I guess some are. Unfortunately, Tennessee might find a better QB, but even better if they struggle with an even worse QB.
Tua Tagovailoa's Heisman candidacy began four generations ago Long read but may give you more insight on how the father (patriarch) makes decisions for the family in this culture. Even the adult children.
At this stage of NIL development precedent is important. I hope some school doesn’t view Nico as a difference maker ( he’s not IMO), for their program and shell out a ridiculous amount of money to him. It will only encourage some others to follow that path.
I can see why. Highly rated out of HS but on-field performance, not great. Nico Iamaleava FRESHMAN Quarterback Tennessee Add to that he's not happy with his mega deal and he's not a good risk.
I would place South Carolina's Lanorris Sellers ( currently#6) at #2 behind only Lagway... he's good.
This, if he didn't have something else fully lined up then it's a stupid move whether it was him or the father.
100%. I don't mind players getting paid but this feels like a level of greed that may cost Nico and his camp 7 figures (I'll be surprised if his next school pays him over 1 million for this season) plus possibly stunt his football development.
