By Ralph Russo, David Ubben and Sam Khan Jr.
The quarter-arre of Tennessee Nico Iamaleava did not attend training on Friday, according to a source of program familiar with the situation, raising questions about his future with volunteers less than a week before the opening of the Printemps transfer portal.
The absence of Eamaleava of training, one day before the planned spring match of Tennessee, was unexpected, said that the person, who spoke to Athletics Under cover of anonymity because the practice was closed to the public.
Two other people informed of the situation said there were ongoing discussions between players’ representatives and the name of the name, image and resemblance that supports school athletes to rework their contract.
On3 reported Thursday that Aumaleava recommended his agreement with the group. Iamaleava’s father Nic criticized this report in an article on social networks.
“More games played on the field than on the field,” he published.
Iamaleava heads for his third season in Tennessee, his second as a starter. The old five -star recruit in California was among the first players who would have received a several million dollar contract in a collective.
This agreement with the Flight Club ended up drawing a meticulous examination of the NCAA investigators, which led the attorney general of Tennessee pursuing the NCAA and the association abandoning its rules against the use of Nile as an incentive of recruitment.
It was to be the last season of the original $ 8 million iamaleava agreement, which was to pay him $ 2.2 million this year. The start -up market has increased. The former quarter of Georgia, Carson Beck, obtained an agreement worth $ 4 million to transfer to Miami earlier this year.
If Iamaleava entered the transfer portal, it would only be immediately eligible to play in a school outside the dry. Although the NCAA has changed its transfer rules to allow undergraduate students to transfer without penalty, the SEC always has a more restrictive conference rule.
If a dry player wishes to transfer to another school of the conference, he must enter the portal before February 1.
Iamaleava helped volunteers reach the play football playoffs last year with a solid second year season. He launched 2,616 yards, 19 touched and five interceptions for 2,616, and the Tennessee season ended with an eruption defeat against the possible national Ohio State champion in the first round of the CFP.
Tennessee should be among the 25 best teams again this season, although the way it is realized in the robust dry will probably have a lot to do with the proximity of Iamaleava to reach this five -star potential. Volunteers do not have much experience behind him on the depth painting. Jake Merklinger, a recruit of Redshirt who played in two games last season, is considered n ° 2 probably behind Iamaleava.
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
