Quarterback Drama Sets the Stage for Tennessee’s Spring Game (4-12-25)

By: Joey Raymond 

Headline Photo Credit: Jason Wiley-LMS Network

A drama-filled morning set the stage for Tennessee’s Orange and White Spring Game on Saturday.

Hours before kickoff, news broke that starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava was expected to enter the transfer portal following NIL contract disagreements with the program. According to ESPN, Iamaleava skipped Friday’s practice and team meetings, prompting head coach Josh Heupel to inform the team of the situation during Saturday morning meetings.

Iamaleava reportedly contacted offensive coordinator Joey Halzle late Friday night, indicating his intent to transfer once the portal opens on Wednesday. Sources said Heupel and other staff members had attempted to reach out throughout the day Friday, with no success.

So, instead of watching Iamaleava build on last season, fans were instead treated to a live audition for Tennessee’s next starting quarterback. The big sticking point in Iamaleava’s situation? NIL money. Sources say he was looking for a raise to $4 million annually—something Tennessee wasn’t willing to meet. And while Iamaleava’s numbers last season weren’t bad—63.8% completion rate, 19 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions—he wasn’t exactly lighting up the stat sheet, either. The question looming over the program now is: was Nico worth it? Based on how things unfolded, Heupel didn’t think so.

With Lamaleava effectively out the door, Tennessee now faces a big decision. Do they dip into the transfer portal to find their next QB1, or roll the dice with the talent already on the roster?

As of now, the Vols have just two scholarship quarterbacks remaining: Jake Merklinger and early enrollee George MacIntyre. Merklinger served as the primary backup during the spring after spending last season as the third-stringer. MacIntyre, a highly touted freshman, is still developing but offers an intriguing upside.

Spring Game Takeaways

The spring game itself offered a basic, stripped-down look at the playbook—as expected for a scrimmage. The day began with practice periods, where both quarterbacks flashed some good throws. Then came the real test: live reps.

MacIntyre took the first snaps and showed poise, mobility, and a quick release. He capped off his opening drive with a perfectly placed touchdown pass to a wide-open receiver. Merklinger followed, and though he started slow, he showed flashes—connecting on a deep throw after a solid scramble. However, his first drive ended in almost throwing an interception. But would instead end in a turnover on downs. 

MacIntyre continued to impress, showcasing his scrambling ability and athleticism, even if his passing still looked raw at times. He led another scoring drive, tossing a touchdown to tight end Jack Van Dorselaer, who emerged as a standout in the game. Merklinger, meanwhile, continued to struggle with decision-making, throwing into coverage and hesitating in the pocket. He tossed a second interception on a deep attempt during his third drive but bounced back with a strong series that ended in a touchdown—once again finding Van Dorselaer.

After halftime, MacIntyre picked up where he left off. On his next drive, he connected on a beautiful pass that set up an insane one-handed catch by Radarious Jackson in the red zone. MacIntyre would throw his third touchdown of the afternoon just a few plays later, this time off a well-designed fake.

The Bigger Picture

After the game, the conversation wasn’t just about who made what throw—it was about what kind of quarterback Tennessee wants leading this team. With Nico out of the picture, Heupel didn’t shy away from setting the tone.

“There’s no one bigger than the Power T,” he said in his postgame press conference. “We’ll have a quarterback that’s ready to go win and help us compete for a National Championship.”

That line said a lot. This wasn’t just about Nico missing practice—it was about establishing that the team comes first, and no player, no matter how highly recruited or talented, is above the program. Tennessee’s unwillingness to cave to a $4 million NIL demand reinforces that message.

Still, this leaves the Vols at a crossroads. With only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster and a starter now gone, the staff will almost certainly have to bring someone in through the transfer portal. The question is: do they target a veteran starter or someone who can simply add depth while they develop MacIntyre?

If Saturday’s performance was any indication, MacIntyre might be the guy—just maybe not right away. He’s clearly raw, but he’s athletic, confident, and flashed some serious upside. With a full offseason of development, he could very well grow into a capable starter.

It’s not the storyline Tennessee fans expected going into spring, but in the new age of college football, it’s one that’s becoming more and more common—where on-field talent, off-field negotiations, and locker room culture are all part of the same high-stakes equation.