In a surprising turn of events, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has reportedly missed a recent spring practice as speculation swirls about his contract negotiations with the university.

Austin Price from On3.com broke the news, indicating that Iamaleava was notably absent from the field. ESPN’s Pete Thamel confirmed this development, revealing that the decision to skip practice came as a shock to the Tennessee coaching staff.

While holdouts are still uncommon in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era of college football, similar strategies have surfaced. For instance, UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka recently chose to redshirt after alleged compensation issues.

Reports suggest that negotiations between Iamaleava and the Volunteers are currently underway, with his father denying these claims in a post on X, stating he had "no idea" about the negotiation details.

Iamaleava, a highly sought 5-star recruit from Warren High School in 2022, previously secured an NIL deal worth as much as $8 million upon committing to Tennessee. However, rumors abound that his representatives are pushing for a pay increase to the $4 million range.

The backdrop of this situation is the growing trend of college quarterbacks utilizing the transfer portal to secure more lucrative contracts, with players like Carson Beck and Darian Mensah reportedly raking in $4 million annually after transferring.

As the spring transfer window approaches on April 16, speculation about Iamaleava's future continues. Despite the buzz, one Tennessee insider expressed confidence in the program's relationship with the young QB.

After a freshman year spent behind Joe Milton, Iamaleava took the reins as the starter last season, showcasing his talent with 2,616 passing yards and 19 touchdowns over 13 games. Fans will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds.