Why Nico Iamaleava Can't Transfer Within SEC and Play Right Away After Tennessee Exit

The quarterback's options are limited.

Nico Iamaleava walks off the field after a 2024 win over Kentucky. / Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In the immediate wake of the 2024 season, Tennessee fans could look ahead to the prospect of a deeper playoff run next year with quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

However, if the Volunteers contend for a national title in 2025, it appears Iamaleava won't be there with them. ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Saturday that Tennessee intends to move on from Iamaleava in the wake of an unprecedented holdout by the quarterback and his camp.

The stunning news has already invited rampant speculation about where the quarterback will end up next—but another SEC school seems unlikely. As ESPN's Max Olson outlined Saturday morning, the SEC has a bylaw that prohibits immediate eligibility for spring transfers within the conference.

Reminder on the SEC's intraconference transfer rules: No SEC-to-SEC transfers in the spring portal, even for grad transfers.

Nico can't go to another SEC school and gain immediate eligibility, and Tennessee can't go get their next starter from an SEC foe. pic.twitter.com/InsAEmvVfg

— Max Olson (@max_olson) April 12, 2025

"A transfer student, including a graduate transfer, from a member institution may be eligible for intercollegiate competition during the individual’s initial academic year in residence at another member institution provided the student provides written notification of transfer to the institution within their sport’s regular NCAA transfer window immediately following the sport’s championship segment," bylaw 14.5.5.1 reads. The rule has been revised four times since its inception, most recently in June 2023.

Not only, as Olson pointed out, can Iamaleava not transfer and play immediately within the conference—but also the Volunteers can't poach a league foe's quarterback in response.

Tennessee appears stuck between a Rocky Top and a hard place.

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