‘Glad that’s past us’: Nico Iamaleava moves beyond NCAA investigation into Tennessee football

Tennessee has Nico Iamaleava’s back, whether it’s protecting his blindside from pass rushers or defending his eligibility against an NCAA investigation.

That’s been the undeniable theme of this offseason: Protect the prized quarterback at all costs.

And UT mobilized every weapon in its arsenal to accomplish that – from the Tennessee attorney general to UT Chancellor Donde Plowman to an aggressive NIL collective.

If there was a threat to Iamaleava specifically and UT football generally, all hands were on deck to fight.

On Monday, Iamaleava said he’s grateful that UT had his back against the NCAA this offseason.

“It felt great to know all the guys behind the scenes are behind us, all the student-athletes,” Iamaleava said. “I thought Coach (Josh Heupel) and everybody, the whole staff, has done a great job keeping us focused on what the main goal is, which is to be a student-athlete here at the university.”

UT squashed an NCAA investigation that could’ve affected Iamaleava’s eligibility, and it landed premier transfers intended to maximize his talents on the field.

Both efforts were in focus on Monday, as Iamaleava and LSU transfer Lance Heard, the coveted offensive tackle snagged by UT to protect Iamaleava, made their first media appearances of spring practice.

'I'm glad that's behind us'

Iamaleava answered questions about his gratitude that UT defended him and his teammates against the NCAA probe. If the university had not done that, the line of questioning would’ve been much different.

It would’ve been about the potential of a postseason ban for UT football and players ruled ineligible. Both were referenced during a federal hearing in February as possible penalties sought by the NCAA against UT.

Instead, the fight against the NCAA is old news because UT fought ferociously to fend off an investigation into allegations that the university broke NIL rules.

“(We can) focus on ball,” Iamaleava said. “And I’m glad that’s past us.”

On March 1, the NCAA paused all investigations related to NIL benefits for athletes, deadening its attack on UT and Iamaleava.

That decision came after UT deployed Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to sue to the NCAA in federal court and win a preliminary injunction halting all NIL rules.

And it came after Plowman blasted the investigation via a scathing letter to the NCAA President Charlie Baker and athletics director Danny White piled on with a fiery statement aimed at the association.

During the investigation, Iamaleava showed his support of the UT chancellor by sharing an Instagram post that said, “Donde Plowman vs NCAA is the beef I didn't know I needed in my life.”

Why Nico Iamaleava appears safe from NCAA probe

Iamaleava wasn’t the only target of the NCAA investigation, but he was the most visible and most vital to the Vols.

Iamaleava’s involvement was alleged by media reports and an attorney representing Spyre Sports, the NIL collective that pays the quarterback for his branding.

The New York Times reported that Spyre facilitated a private jet for Iamaleava to fly to Knoxville while UT was recruiting him as arguably the top prospect in the country.

If the NCAA deemed Spyre or the person who provided the plane as a booster, that would be a violation in the old interpretation of NCAA rules.

But federal judge Clifton Corker, in his preliminary injunction order, made no distinction between NIL collectives and the boosters acting on behalf of the collective.

So Iamaleava and UT football appear safe from NCAA attacks.

How Tennessee got players to maximize Iamaleava's impact

But efforts to help Iamaleava have extended from the courtroom to the transfer portal.

In January, UT landed Heard, a former five-star prospect from Iamaleava’s 2023 class.

“I knew Nico was a great player,” Heard said. “He was a very high recruit when we were coming out. And I knew I wanted to be a part of that and his success.”

In spring practice, Heard was immediately inserted as the starting left tackle, where he’ll protect Iamaleava’s blind side from the SEC’s best pass rushers.

Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said “protecting the passer” is where Heard will upgrade the offense the most.

Spyre doesn’t release how much it pays athletes for their NIL. But talented left tackles don’t come cheap in this transfer market, so it’s reasonable to believe Heard was paid well to come to UT and block for Iamaleava.

“It was about the opportunities that I wanted. I felt that Tennessee had everything that I needed,” Heard said when asked why he chose UT.

UT also got tight end Holden Staes, a Notre Dame transfer, and wide receiver Chris Brazzell, a Tulane transfer, in the transfer portal.

Granted, the Vols needed players at those positions regardless of who plays quarterback. But the fact that they would be targets for Iamaleava only enhanced their value.

Right tackle John Campbell, who transferred from Miami last season, also returned for the 2024 season rather than enter the NFL Draft. He said Iamaleava had a hand in his decision.

“Nico is balling. That’s my boy,” Campbell said. “… I just love Nico. He’s a great leader.”

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Emailadam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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