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Tennessee fans alter, burn Nico Iamaleava jerseys following QB’s controversial exit
By Mark Kern
Published:
Tennessee fans are having a frustrating start to the 2025 season, as they just found out that star quarterback Nico Iamaleava was no longer the quarterback for the Volunteers. He had been in an NIL dispute with Tennessee, and the Volunteers’ coach Josh Heupel announced on Saturday the program was moving on without him.
On Saturday, the team is having its annual Orange and Spring game, which is usually a fun day for the fans to get a sneak preview of what the team could be next season. However, it has turned into more of a way for fans to cope with Iamaleava no longer being the quarterback by changing their jerseys.
Here is a small sampling of some of the altered jerseys seen on Saturday, including one fan who took lighter fluid and a lighter to their jersey:
For now, Heupel and his staff have quarterback Jake Merkingler and freshman quarterback George McIntyre on the roster. It is likely the Volunteers will now get into the transfer portal and see if they can bring in another quarterback to have on the roster.
It is a frustrating time right now in Knoxville, but the decision by Heupel and his staff is 1 that many around college football are happy about. The NIL and transfer portal have gotten wild, and a school standing up and not giving in to a top prospect could be a sign of things changing. Coaches across the country have been clamoring for change, and this could be the first step into finding a common middle ground.
