Iamaleava happy to move past NCAA probe
Tennessee has Nico Iamaleava’s back, whether it’s protecting his blindside from pass rushers or defending his eligibility against an NCAA investigation.
That’s been the undeniable theme of this offseason: Protect the prized quarterback at all costs.
And UT mobilized every weapon in its arsenal to accomplish that – from the Tennessee attorney general to UT Chancellor Donde Plowman to an aggressive NIL collective.
If there was a threat to Iamaleava specifically and UT football generally, all hands were on deck to fight.
On Monday, Iamaleava said he’s grateful that UT had his back against the NCAA this offseason.
“It felt great to know all the guys behind the scenes are behind us, all the student-athletes,” Iamaleava said. “I thought Coach (Josh Heupel) and everybody, the whole staff, has done a great job keeping us focused on what the main goal is, which is to be a student-athlete here at the university.”
UT squashed an NCAA investigation that could’ve affected Iamaleava’s eligibility, and it landed premier transfers intended to maximize his talents on the field.
Both efforts were in focus on Monday, as Iamaleava and LSU transfer Lance Heard, the coveted offensive tackle snagged by UT to protect Iamaleava, made their first media appearances of spring practice.
‘I’m glad that’s past us’
Iamaleava answered questions about his gratitude that UT defended him and his teammates against the NCAA probe. If the university had not done that, the line of questioning would’ve been much different.
It would’ve been about the potential of a postseason ban for UT football and players ruled ineligible. Both were referenced during a federal hearing in February as possible penalties sought by the NCAA against UT.
Instead, the
fight against the