Following a dramatic week between Nico Iamaleava and the Tennessee Volunteers, there has been a frenzied discussion on what truly went down. The ex-Volunteer QB opted out of practice looking for a raise in terms of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money.
Tennessee did not take the move lightly, and rather than giving the 6’6″ quarterback what he wanted, they dismissed him and parted ways. Now, as Iamaleava searches for his next program, NFL legend Dez Bryant suggested the quarterback join legendary coach Bill Belichick at the University of North Carolina.
Nico Iamaleava to North Carolina? NFL Legend Dez Bryant Gives His Take
Iamaleava entered the program as a highly regarded prospect with a guaranteed NIL deal reportedly worth over $2 million in his first year. However, he allegedly sought an increase to around $4 million, leading to a prolonged period of uncertainty regarding his status with the team.
This resulted in a public fallout, with the two eventually parting ways last week. Iamaleava has drawn interest from UCLA, Tulane, and North Carolina, per On3’s college football insider Pete Nakos. With Iamaleava capable of being a starter in all three programs, Bryant suggested Tar Heels and Belichick would be the best fit for the 20-year-old.
“.. the smartest thing to do would be to go to North Carolina,” Bryant wrote on X.
The Tar Heels are believed to be active in the transfer portal when it opens on April 16, and Belichick grabbing Iamaleava for his inaugural season won’t be a surprise. The QB started all 13 games for Tennessee last season, going 10-3. He finished the season with 2,616 yards, 19 touchdown passes, and five interceptions while completing 63.8% of his passes.
Meanwhile, Belichick’s contract with UNC is a five-year deal at a rate of roughly $10 million per season, but only the first three years are guaranteed. With Iamaleava also expected to demand big NIL money, it would be interesting to see what UNC does here.
Since joining the ACC in 1953, the Tar Heels have won five conference championships, the most recent coming in 1980. However, North Carolina has never won a national championship or appeared in a title game.
While there have been rumors of Belichick potentially returning to the NFL, as he only has a $10 million buyout before June 1, 2025, all head coaching jobs in the league are filled, and it’s very likely that he will ride out the first year of his contract in North Carolina. He’ll have his work cut out, though, as the team finished 6-7 (3-5 in the ACC) in its first year.