Talented quarterback Nico Iamaleava has entered the transfer portal after an NIL dispute with the Tennessee Volunteers, and the USC Trojans were immediately linked.
With the way the Trojans offseason has gone since the turn of the New Year, just about every top player has been linked to USC, but that does not necessarily mean that Lincoln Riley will actually pursue him.
According to ESPN Senior Writer Chris Low, “Right before the winter portal closed, Iamaleava’s reps wanted to see his deal upped to $4 million range and again this time as the spring portal opens Wednesday.”
That amount is nearly double his current NIL deal, and his initial deal with Tennessee before he even put on a uniform was reportedly valued at a total of $8 million.
Are The USC Trojans Interested In Nico Iamaleava?
It is easy to link Iamaleava to the Trojans, as he is a California kid and played his high school ball at Warren High School in Downey, CA.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, “Sources tell On3 that UCLA is the school to watch, and USC and Notre Dame have also been linked to Iamaleava. On3 has not yet confirmed whether the Trojans or Fighting Irish are interested in adding him.”
Also Read: USC Trojans Aiming To Flip Another Top Prospect From Texas School
There is a strange new clause that does not allow Iamaveala to transfer to an SEC school so it will need to be out of the conference, which puts a West Coast school at the top of the list.
- Nico Iamaleava 2024 Stats: 2616 yards, 19 touchdowns, 5 interceptions
However, based on conversations that I have had, the USC Trojans and Lincoln Riley feel very confident in their current quarterback room and the development of Jayden Maiava, with freshman Husan Longstreet as the next in line.
This doesn’t mean they won’t have conversations with Iamaveala’s camp and test the waters, but I would be very surprised if they actually pursue him.
Riley spoke highly about Maiava during spring camp, and the QB has built chemistry with the receiving corps and the locker room as a whole. Distrupting that just a few months before the season, not to mention the huge price tag, could be extremely detrimental to the program.
It is going to be a very interesting spring portal, which officially opens on Wednesday. The USC Trojans have a ton of momentum and excitement around the program. I could see them adding a few more pieces, but I would be pretty shocked if they made a move as massive as a top-dollar quarterback.