Tennessee Reportedly Doing 'Due Diligence' on Transfer Portal QBs After Iamaleava Exit

The University of Tennessee football program is reportedly preparing to be active in the spring transfer portal as it relates to the quarterback position.

According to On3.com's Pete Nakos, the Volunteers have "begun due diligence" on which quarterbacks may be available when the spring transfer portal opens Wednesday.

On Saturday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Tennessee and quarterback Nico Iamaleava decided to part ways after Iamaleava skipped practice Friday in the midst of name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation negotiations.

Iamaleava, who is preparing to enter his junior season, started 13 games for the Vols last season, posting a 10-3 record.

He completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also rushing for 358 yards and three scores.

After going 10-2 in the regular season, Tennessee qualified for the College Football Playoff. However, the Volunteers got crushed 42-17 by the eventual national championship-winning Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round.

Iamaleava struggled through injuries in that game, going just 14-of-31 for 104 yards and no touchdowns, along with rushing for 47 yards and two touchdowns.

Thamel suggested that Iamaleava will be the "most notable" player available in the spring transfer portal, leaving Tennessee to consider other options.

In terms of in-house possibilities, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger is the leader in the clubhouse. A 4-star prospect and the No. 13 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, per 247Sports, Merklinger went 6-of-9 for 48 yards in limited action last season.

True freshman George MacIntyre, who was 247Sports' No. 17 quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, could also be in the mix.

As far as spring transfer portal quarterbacks go, Athlon Sports college football editor Steven Lassan lists Georgia's Jaden Rashada and UCF's Dylan Rizk as the best available.

Rashada was notably 247Sports' No. 44 overall recruit and No. 6 quarterback in 2023, but he has bounced around regularly during his brief collegiate career.

Just before he was supposed to report to Florida in 2023, Rashada requested a release from his letter of intent after an NIL deal fell through. Rashada transferred to play at Arizona State in 2023 and then transferred to Georgia in 2024.

Rashada saw no playing time last season at Georgia, but he started three games at ASU in 2023, going 1-2 and completing 53.7 percent of his passes for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

While Rashada is the highest-upside option available, Rizk may be a bit safer, albeit with a lower ceiling.

Rizk appeared in six games and made four starts at UCF last season, going 1-3 and throwing for 904 yards, five touchdowns and two picks.

Preparing to enter his redshirt sophomore season, Rizk may have the best combination of experience and youth among the options available to Tennessee.