Tennessee starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava has decided to enter the transfer portal following a offseason contract dispute, reports say.
Iamaleava, a four-star quarterback from the same recruiting class as Kansas State’s Avery Johnson, did not attend practice on Friday amid ongoing NIL contract negotiations. He was reportedly seeking to renegotiate his deal to reach the $4 million range, but the university ultimately declined to revise the terms.
Johnson, a rising star at quarterback and the undisputed face of the Kansas State football program, could just as easily request a raise from the university — and he’d be worth every penny.
However, there are clear differences between Johnson and Iamaleava that will likely prevent that from happening.
As a Kansas native and longtime fan of the Wildcats, Johnson’s decision to attend K-State stemmed from a deep appreciation for the program — unlike Iamaleava, who is from Long Beach, California, and whose decision may have been more business-oriented.
Johnson in his first year as a starter has consistently elevated the players around him, with teammates praising him as a true leader. His commitment was especially evident when he helped recruit 2025 starting running back Dylan Edwards — a former childhood teammate — after Edwards chose to transfer.
“Johnson has just got an infectious personality and that aura about him,” Head Football Coach Chris Klieman told K-State Sports. “He’s embraced it and taken it to the next level. He’s not afraid to hold others to the standard he expects. He has to live up to it, too, but his leadership continues to evolve.”
Of the eight quarterbacks ranked above Avery in the 2023 recruiting class, only two — Arch Manning of Texas and Christopher Vizzina of Clemson — remain with their original schools. In the age of the transfer portal, loyalty still matters.
Last season, Johnson and Alabama's Jalen Milroe were the only Power 4 quarterbacks to surpass 2,500 passing yards and 525 rushing yards.
Johnson led the Wildcats to a 9-4 record and a thrilling 44-41 victory over Rutgers in their bowl game. They will open the 2025 season against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland.