ESPN analyst offers stark Nico Iamaleava warning after Tennessee drama: ‘Buyer beware’

Nico Iamaleava’s divorcement from Tennessee sets nan backmost up to beryllium 1 of nan much intriguing transportation portal options erstwhile it opens connected Wednesday.

But 1 ESPN expert is dubious that teams successful request of a backmost should return a leap of religion connected nan signal-caller.

Paul Finebaum appeared connected “McElroy and Cubelic successful nan Morning” connected WJOX-FM 94.5 successful Birmingham connected Monday and opened up astir nan intriguing business that saw Iamaleava skip a Friday believe past week aft he reportedly tried to unafraid a amended NIL payment.

Tennessee backmost Nico Iamaleava throws to a receiver during nan first half of nan Volunteers’ triumph complete Alabama connected Oct. 19, 2024. AP

When Tennessee did not acquiesce, Iamaleava made his intentions clear that he would beryllium entering nan portal and activity a caller program.

“I would enactment distant from him,” Finebaum said. “Buyer beware of this guy. It’s not moreover Nico. It’s nan full apparatus. Something tells maine Nico personally is not personally successful nan mediate of these negotiations. Team Nico is. I mean, location is simply a toxic emotion astir this subordinate because of nan attention. Because he is nan 1 everyone is talking about. I would beryllium very careful.

“First of all, I mean, you guys are amended evaluators than I am. But he’s a bully quarterback. You know, really elite is he? I mean, if you don’t person a quarterback, he’s by acold a amended action than immoderate feline who tin hardly get nan signals successful from nan coach connected nan sideline. But I don’t think, successful nan short term, and that’s each we’re really talking astir pinch him, he is going to make a important difference.”

Finebaum besides thought nan Volunteers did nan correct point successful nan situation, though he wasn’t excessively judge nan squad had overmuch of a prime to do thing different.

“I deliberation from an early position of it all, Tennessee fared incredibly well,” Finebaum said. “They’re being credited and praised crossed nan state for getting free of him. Now, I’m still not judge they had a choice. He didn’t show up for believe and didn’t show up connected Saturday, truthful they were done.”

ESPN characteristic Paul Finebaum reacts earlier nan commencement of nan SEC Championship betwixt Texas and Georgia, won by nan Bulldogs, connected Dec. 7, 2024. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s still a enigma wherever nan backmost will land, arsenic ON3 reported that Bill Belichick’s North Carolina and Tulane are some retired of nan running.

The outlet besides reported that UCLA is interested.