Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee Reportedly Haven't Spoken Amid Contract Negotiation Rumors

Nico Iamaleava has not spoken to Tennessee since skipping the program's spring practice on Friday, according to On3's Andy Staples.

According to Staples, Iamaleava had dinner with Tennessee's quarterback group at offensive coordinator Joey Halzle's house the night before the missed practice.

"We're talking about less than 18 hours ago, he was very much in the fold. And then he was not at practice," Staples said.

Staples also said about Iamaleava: "The transfer portal opens on Wednesday. I bet we're gonna see a QB that we weren't expecting to enter the portal, with a do not contact tag. And I'll probably post a checkerboard endzone as soon as that happens."

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Friday the Volunteers were surprised by Iamaleava's absence, which came amid "conversations with Tennessee about a new contract."

Adam Sparks of the Knoxville News Sentinel also previously reported that Tennessee hadn't heard from Iamaleava as of late afternoon after the skipped morning practice.

On3's Pete Nakos first reported Thursday that Iamaleava and Tennessee were "in active negotiations on a new NIL deal" and hoped to finalize negotiations before the Orange and White Game takes place on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.

Nakos also reported that Iamaleava's current contract with Tennessee is believed to be worth somewhere in the range of $2.2 million to $2.5 million.

Iamaleava is seeking to earn around $4 million on his next deal, per Low:

Iamaleava's father, Nic Iamaleava, wrote on social media he had "no idea" what Nakos was writing about in his report, and ESPN's Chris Low noted that Iamaleava’s representatives "denied Thursday there was any renegotiation talk."

Both Low and Thamel then reported the Volunteers were surprised by Iamaleava's absence on Friday.

Iamaleava is looking to take another step forward next season after throwing for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns with five interceptions in his first 13 games as the Vols' starter last season.

If his split from the program is part of a holdout for a new contract, it could mark the beginning of a new era of college football as programs brace for the negotiations involved in being allowed to share revenue with players likely starting next fall.

Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger was expected to back up Iamaleava next season. He could potentially be called up to start should Iamaleava part ways with the Vols.