Woah! More transfer portal drama is cooking up! Already, college football fans have yet to wrap their heads around the great Nico Iamaleava and Tennessee hoopla. The Vols’ head coach, Josh Heupel, had pulled the brakes in Nico’s plan to fatten his fortunes. While Tennessee moves forward without their quarterback, it’s Nico’s brother, Arkansas QB Madden Iamaleava, who is now stirring the pot…

Right now, Razorbacks HC Sam Pittman and Co. must be having sleepless nights as their 4-star true freshman quarterback is all set to swap the wagons. While Madden is yet to dive into the portal, this is going to be his second time to hit the ‘FLIP’ button. But was this a compulsion after big bro’s latest move?

Well, the Nico drama has already gotten dirtier. First, the former Vols quarterback was being called out as money-minded. It was still okay. But things took an ugly turn when critics started to question even his loyalty while being committed to Tennessee. Long story short, the quarterback’s idea of a ‘maximum possible’ paycheck way overshot what Tennessee was willing to pay. Nico had signed a $2 million NIL deal with Heupel’s squad. But even after that, he thought of doubling his bank account and went looking for a $4 million per year bump in his NIL earnings. Obviously, the program did not meet his demands. But life goes on. Nico has signed with the UCLA Bruins. And now his brother is grabbing the NIL spotlight.

CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz first confirmed the news. On April 21, he tweeted, “Arkansas four-star true freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava informed Arkansas today that he’s currently planning on entering the transfer portal, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.” ESPN analyst Chris Low then reshared the news on the same day. He wrote, “And now this. I can confirm. As somebody at Arkansas told me, “Unbelievable.” It’s portal madness.”

While Nico commits to UCLA, Pasadena was once Madden’s home. The Long Beach Poly High School quarterback had committed to UCLA in May 2024. Months later, in December, he withdrew that pledge, flipping his commitment and signing with Arkansas. This came as a huge blow for the Bruins’ HC DeShaun Foster. However, what was the reason behind Madden leaving UCLA when they needed him the most?

Well, the young chap had his reason. As mentioned in a 247Sports interview with their father, Nicholaus Iamaleava, Madden had painted a picture in his mind. The younger Iamaleava wanted to grow under the leadership of the then-OC Eric Bieniemy. But the Bruins had let go of the coach in December 2024. As Nic broke the silence back then, “We liked EB a lot, he was one of the reasons Madden committed there. That uncertainty was tough because Madden of course wanted to know who his OC would be.”

But what made Madden count on Arkansas? Their offensive coordinator, Bobby Petrino. However, what makes him rethink his decision to hit the exit door again? Does his brother, Nico, have a huge role to play in it? At least Madden’s message after big bro’s switch hints so.

Madden Iamaleava’s lukewarm reaction to Nico Iamaleava’s fresh start hints at tension

Turns out that Nico was waiting for the moment to show the college football world how he is not a ‘trashed product’ as Tennessee made him feel. So what happened if the Vols walked away from him? He did not have to wait long to find a new home. And as soon as his UCLA deal was official, he came up with an IG post on April 20.

It read, “My journey at UT has come to an end. This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be. Even though this chapter is ending, a new chapter has begun, and I am committed to UCLA!” 

So, now that one of the members of the Iamaleava fam is hitting new roads, it’s indeed a proud moment. But going by his lil bro’s reaction, we can sense a tone of disappointment. The picture showed Nico rocking the UCLA jersey under the palms and blue skies. Madden then reshared the story on the same day with an interesting caption.

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Well, he wrote no congratulatory message or any heart emojis, but only one emoticon, “🆗.” Short, but was it sweet? Probably not. After all, Madden, too, knew that he would now have to tread the water that had been dirtied by Nico. Maybe the Arkansas quarterback could sense that even if he holds the chance to earn the starting job next spring, Pittman and Co. might rethink twice. All thanks to his big bro, Nico’s actions. 

Now, if Madden Iamaleava edges out QB KJ Jackson next April, the staff has to seriously consider whether it will be safe to name him the starter. After all, it might cost Arkansas high in case Madden, too, holds the Razorbacks hostage like how Nico Iamaleava tried to do at Tennessee. He can threaten to go into the portal also if Arkansas doesn’t meet his financial demands. In that case, only one thing can help Sam Pittman. The college football coaches unanimously approved sending a proposal to the NCAA that would shorten the transfer portal to a single window taking place in January. In that case, both Madden and Jackson would be locked in for the 2026 season. With this, the head coaches would be free to name the best fit for the starter role without being scared of transfers or being held hostage.