The Tennessee Volunteers find themselves in the crosshairs of the NCAA over NIL practices across multiple sports in the athletic department. Included in an investigation is the football program and its recruitment of a five-star signal caller.
The Vols landed Nico Iamaleava’s signature on signing day last year as he became the headliner of the 2023 class. He’d make an instant impact in Knoxville throwing for 314 yards and two scores.
That included a bowl game start against Iowa where he led UT to a dominant 35-0 victory. In that matchup, he completed 12-of-19 attempts for 151 yards and a touchdown. He added three rushing scores, too.
Expected to assume the starting role in 2024, he’s now become the focal point of an NCAA investigation.
Tennessee has fallen under scrutiny due to potential recruiting and NIL violations, one of which is reported to involve the use of a private jet on one of Iamaleava’s campus visits.
The university responded to allegations on Tuesday, essentially placing all the blame on the NCAA.
Tom Mars, an attorney that dealt with Iamaleava’s rumored $8 million NIL deal, also responded to the news on behalf of the Spyre Sports Group.
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