It’s hard to find any winners in the Tennessee Vols-Nico Iamaleava relationship. The whole situation was so mismanaged that no one can feel good about the way things went down.
I guess Iamaleava’s father, Nic, could be happier from the sad, twisted state of affairs. After all, his sons, Nico and Madden, will be playing close to home. However, there’s one issue. UCLA isn’t Tennessee and probably never will be.
The Bruins will be lucky to win more than half of their games this season. UCLA will be led by head coach DeShaun Foster. There may be some good in that for Nic, considering he can throw his weight around a little bit easier in Southern California than in East Tennessee, which was definitely left in a lurch.
UT thought it had a premier quarterback that could lead it to championships. Now, the Vols have two quarterbacks that have thrown a grand total of nine passes in games during their careers and another that scoured the country for playing time.
UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar may end up winning the starting job at Tennessee. He could also be third-string quarterback in his final season of eligibility.
Perhaps Madden Iamaleava could be considered a winner, but Arkansas is demanding he return $200,000 after he left Fayetteville to join his brother in Los Angeles. Madden may have success as a Bruin, but with his father at the helm, I have serious doubts. The Razorbacks can’t be too pleased as they lost the quarterback that they were building plans around.
If there is any winner in this tale, it’s probably Nic. He got his sons, paid and there’s little doubt that much of that cash will go in his pocket. Still, I have a feeling that his meddling will undermine his sons’ futures.
Nic may be the winner for now, but I don’t like his chances long term. He has proven he will be in the way during his sons’ playing careers. So enjoy. This won’t last long.
