Things are looking rocky on ol’ Rocky Top. Years ago, college football players’ priorities were their performance on the field and in the classroom. Now, NIL contracts are keeping players from practicing.

Uncertainty spiked in Knoxville on Thursday as Tennessee's unsteady relationship with starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava went public. A report from On3 described Iamaleava and Tennessee as going through "contract negotiations" ahead of the April 16 opening of the college football spring transfer portal window.

But it also means convincing your own players to remain, which is reportedly what Tennessee is trying to do with quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Pete Nakos of On 3 reported Thursday the Volunteers and Iamaleava are undergoing "active contract negotiations ahead of the 2025 season" that may or may not "impact whether he enters the spring transfer portal.