Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava raised eyebrows on Friday when he unexpectedly skipped the team’s spring practice, leaving fans and teammates surprised. His decision sparked criticism from several people, including NFL star and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who didn’t hold back.
Iamaleava is reportedly seeking a new NIL deal from Tennessee, as other quarterbacks across the country are landing upgraded agreements this offseason. So far, however, Tennessee hasn’t met his demands, and that frustration seemingly led to his absence—something that’s beginning to bother people within the program.
According to ESPN reporters Pete Thamel, Chris Low, and Max Olson, Iamaleava’s absence caught both coaches and players off guard. Sources say the situation is increasingly frustrating for school officials and players alike.
The backlash has been building, with Parsons now publicly joining in. He criticized how college athletes are navigating NIL deals and took aim at Iamaleava for skipping practice. In a post on X, Parsons said,
“College football a joke now! Y’all might as well just make college into a semi-pro league! Actually hold players accountable to the contracts they sign!”
https://x.com/MicahhParsons11/status/1910791295540289567?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1910791295540289567%7Ctwgr%5E3cb98041f2416ee2f036a7662754df57caa95025%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fathlonsports.com%2Fnfl%2Fdallas-cowboys%2Fmicah-parsons-shot-nico-iamaleava-spring-practice-decision
In 2024, Nico Iamaleava passed for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns during his first season as Tennessee’s starting quarterback. However, with the transfer portal reopening on Wednesday, his status with the team has become uncertain. Interestingly, Micah Parsons—who’s also navigating contract talks with the Dallas Cowboys—can relate. Despite sitting out four games last season, Parsons still posted impressive numbers: 43 tackles, 12 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
