Nico Iamaleava’s recent decision to enter the transfer portal, following reported NIL disputes with the Tennessee Volunteers, has captured the attention of college football fans. Longtime analyst Paul Finebaum added to the conversation on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning on Fox 94.5 in Birmingham, Alabama, where he provided his insights on the unfolding situation. Finebaum outlined how Tennessee emerged positively after refusing to bow to Iamaleava’s NIL demands, while also acknowledging that Iamaleava could still have success wherever he lands.
“I think from an early view of it, Tennessee fared incredibly well,” Finebaum stated. “They are being credited and praised across the country for getting rid of him. Now, I’m still not sure they had a choice. He didn’t show up to practice, and he didn’t show up on Saturday. So they were done. In relation to this moment in time, I think it is a critical moment, an inflection point—one of the most significant recent stories in college football history.” He further mentioned, “Nico’s departure seemed inevitable based on the information circulating about his dissatisfaction with his deal. However, he has a chance to go elsewhere. Tennessee may have won the short-term battle, but they face a crucial question: who will be their quarterback, and how effective will that person be?”
Later on, Finebaum was asked if he thought most teams in need of a quarterback would shy away from Iamaleava due to his abrupt departure from Tennessee. Instead of speculating on the decisions of college football teams, he advised interested programs to “stay away from him.” “Buyer beware of this guy,” Finebaum warned. “It’s not just about Nico; it’s the entire situation surrounding him. He has a toxic aura due to all the attention he’s receiving. I would be very cautious.”
Finebaum acknowledged Iamaleava’s talent: “He is a good quarterback. However, the question remains—how elite is he? If you’re in need of a quarterback, he’s a far better option than someone who struggles to relay signals from the coach. But in the short term, he may not make a significant difference. He can help, as seen with Tennessee. However, you must consider the costs of bringing him on board. There’s a cloud over him—‘He held out. He asked for money. He’s a problem child. Stay away.’”
The challenge for quarterback-needy teams in the transfer portal will be assessing whether Iamaleava’s talent outweighs the controversies that accompany his name at this time. It seems likely that at least one Power-Five conference team will take the plunge, but it remains uncertain which team will take the first step.
As programs remain tight-lipped about their interest in Iamaleava, Finebaum suggests that caution may be warranted for any team considering this high-profile quarterback.
