**Mike Elko Sends Clear Message on Nico Iamaleava Transfer Situatio**
*April 19, 2025*
**Durham, NC** – In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, the transfer portal continues to be a hotbed of speculation, intrigue, and shifting allegiances. But when it comes to the rumors swirling around Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and a potential transfer to Texas A&M, Aggies head coach Mike Elko isn’t leaving much to interpretation.
During a Thursday press conference ahead of Texas A&M’s final spring practice, Elko addressed the increasingly loud chatter linking the former five-star quarterback Iamaleava to College Station. With a calm but firm tone, Elko set the record straight.
> “There’s been a lot of talk recently about Nico and our quarterback room,” Elko said. “Let me be absolutely clear: we have not had contact with Nico Iamaleava, and we’re not recruiting him through back channels. We respect the kid’s talent, but we’re focused on developing the guys we have here.”
Elko’s comments come in the wake of a social media frenzy and multiple online forums speculating that Iamaleava was “eyeing” the Aggies following an up-and-down spring with the Tennessee Volunteers. While Iamaleava remains with the Vols, some recent signs – including cryptic social media posts and his absence from parts of spring practice – have fueled speculation that the 6-foot-6 sophomore is reconsidering his future in Knoxville.
Iamaleava, one of the crown jewels of the 2023 recruiting class, was touted as the Vols’ next big thing after the departure of Hendon Hooker and the end of Joe Milton’s tenure. But after an inconsistent freshman campaign and a spring that insiders have described as “frustrating,” there are legitimate questions about whether he’s fully settled into Josh Heupel’s system.
Nevertheless, Elko appears adamant that his team isn’t playing into the transfer speculation game.
> “We’re building a culture here that’s based on trust, work ethic, and development,” Elko continued. “We have a quarterback competition right now with guys who’ve committed to this process. That’s where our focus is.”
That competition includes junior Conner Weigman, redshirt sophomore Marcel Reed, and freshman early enrollee Elijah Brown, who all took meaningful reps throughout the spring.
Elko, now entering his second year at the helm for Texas A&M, has made headlines for reshaping the program’s identity after the Jimbo Fisher era. His disciplined approach and strong emphasis on player development have been well received in College Station, where expectations remain high.
Still, some analysts believe Elko’s public denial doesn’t completely close the door on future quarterback movement – especially given how quickly things can change in today’s transfer-heavy NCAA environment. If Iamaleava were to officially enter the portal after spring evaluations, it’s almost certain that multiple top-tier programs would be interested – and Texas A&M, with its strong NIL backing and need for elite quarterback play, would naturally be part of the conversation.
For now, though, Elko has drawn a line in the sand, making it clear that the Aggies are not currently pursuing the former No. 1 overall QB prospect.
> “Speculation is part of the game now,” Elko concluded. “But we’re not going to chase every rumor. We’re building something here – and that requires focus, not distraction.”
Meanwhile, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has remained mostly tight-lipped on Iamaleava’s status, offering only that he “expects Nico to be with the team” heading into the summer.
As the college football world watches closely, all eyes will be on Iamaleava – and whether his next pass comes in Knoxville, College Station, or somewhere else entirely. One thing is certain: Mike Elko is making sure that, at least for now, his program won’t be swept up in the transfer tide.
**– END –**
Let me know if you want a spicier angle, social media reactions, or reactions from Tennessee or A&M fans.
Leave a Reply