Why Tennessee football hasn’t replaced Nico Iamaleava in portal yet: A complex task explained (2025)

It feels like Nico Iamaleava left Tennessee football for UCLA weeks ago.

So why haven’t the Vols added a quarterback from the transfer portal to replace him? Well, these things take time and money. And it hasn’t been as long as it seems.

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The transfer portal is open April 16-25.

Here are some reasons why Tennessee hasn’t added a quarterback from the portal yet.

The best quarterbacks aren’t in the portal

Every UT fan has seen the wish lists of elite quarterbacks circulating on social media. They include Kansas State’s Avery Johnson, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Iowa State’s Rocco Becht and a few others.

They know UT has NIL money to spend and a prime opportunity to start in the SEC. And if a quarterback at that level enters the portal, count on UT as the immediate frontrunner to land them.

But those quarterbacks are their school’s version of Hendon Hooker. They are established starters, regional icons and already paid well in NIL money. It takes a lot to lure them into the portal and ultimately UT.

Tennessee, Josh Heupel may need to move beyond top QBs

These things happen in stages.

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UT would be foolish to hastily grab a quarterback without considering the possibility that one of those premier starters enters the portal.

There may be few more remaining in that pool for the right price. But once those elite quarterbacks presumably get NIL raises at their current school, the Vols must move on.

The second tier includes quarterbacks who aren’t surefire starters, but they are good enough to compete with redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger for the QB1 job in the fall.

Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli, for example, would be in that pool. He has entered the transfer portal after passing for 772 yards, 10 TDs and one interception as a backup over the past two seasons.

Jake Merklinger might be Tennessee QB starter in 2025 season

Don’t estimate Merklinger. The redshirt freshman was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class who chose UT over Georgia, Michigan State and North Carolina out of Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia.

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If coach Josh Heupel and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle believe Merklinger is a better option than the quarterbacks available, they’ll tap the brakes on the process.

After all, adding a transfer quarterback as an insurance policy could push Merklinger into the pool. And the Vols don’t want to cut off their nose to spite their face.

Vols must be selective to keep Jake Merklinger, George MacIntyre

It’s a delicate situation with tight parameters.

UT prefers to get a quarterback with only one season of eligibility remaining. That would help keep Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre, a four-star recruit, on the 2025 roster in anticipation of competing for the starting job in 2026.

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But that preference limits a pool of quarterbacks that was already small. The winter portal window is the best time to get a quarterback, but Iamaleava’s late departure put the Vols in a bind.

Josh Heupel is considering Vols team chemistry

Merklinger is a popular player on the team. And MacIntyre has a good rapport with the freshmen who enrolled with him in January.

Six of UT’s seven scholarship receivers are from the same classes as Merklinger and MacIntyre. Team chemistry must be considered if UT gets a quarterback who potentially could divide the locker room.

Anyone who thinks Heupel wouldn’t consider that impact doesn’t realize the value he puts on stability, both on his coaching staff and roster.

Tennessee has other spring transfer portal needs

UT also needs to add a wide receiver from the portal. Defensive tackle, defensive back and other positions are also potential needs.

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It would make sense to add a quarterback before a receiver, but things don’t always work according to plan.

In fact, some quarterbacks want assurances that UT will have a deeper wide receiving corps before joining the Vols. Getting a premier receiver could expedite the quarterback search or, at least, give Merklinger and MacIntyre another target.

There are lot of moving parts to managing the portal, but the clock is ticking for the Vols.

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

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football QB search in transfer portal: Update on complex deal