by Jack Glennon
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On Saturday, the Tennessee Volunteers football team played their annual spring football game, more commonly known as the “Orange and White Game”.
The game was overshadowed by news that surfaced this morning regarding Tennessee Quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
It was reported by ESPN that Tennessee would be moving on from Iamaleava amid an NIL contract dispute.
Earlier in the week, multiple outlets, including On3.com, reported that Iamaleava approached the university about a potential pay raise.
Iamaleava had previously signed a 4-year NIL contract worth $8 million, and many outlets reported Iamaleava was now seeking a contract that would pay him around $4 million annually.
The Long Beach, California, native refused to attend Friday’s practice, and many believe that this decision was the breaking point for Head Coach Josh Heupel and the rest of his staff.
The Tennessee Volunteers are now in line for an interesting summer camp, as redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and incoming freshman George MacIntyre are the lone scholarship players in the Vols’ quarterback room.
MacIntyre and Merklinger both saw plenty of action in Saturday’s matinee Spring game.
They both had a number of impressive throws, each trying to find a rhythm throughout the afternoon.
In live play, which included both 7-on-7 & 11-on-11, MacIntyre threw three touchdown passes, while Merklinger finished with two.
The first TD pass of the day came during the 7-on-7 portion of the afternoon, when Jake Merklinger found Mike Matthews on a fade from 35 yards away.
Later in the 7-on-7 portion, Andre Turrentine then made a beautiful read to intercept Merklinger, who was targeting Matthews once again.
MacIntyre also threw an interception during the 7-on-7 scrimmage, as incoming freshman Brenden Anes flipped the field on a tipped pass.
The 11-on-11 scrimmage, however, allowed for a better look at the two signal-callers and a plethora of their teammates.
The first drive of the 11-on-11 featured nine plays, the final of which was a gorgeous touchdown pass from George MacIntyre into the arms of Radarious Jackson.
The second drive, led by Merklinger went just 24 yards on seven plays, ending with a turnover on downs. It featured a sack from Jeremiah Telander.
The fourth drive of the game was beautiful, as MacIntyre led a 75-yard touchdown drive that spanned 16 plays. It concluded with a three-yard touchdown pass that was brought in by Jack Van Dorselaer.
Merklinger’s subsequent drive was cut short by another interception, this time courtesy of Jakobe Thomas. Trey Weary made the lone highlight of the drive, converting an impressive 18-yard reception.
Merklinger was assigned to back-to-back drives, however, and the game’s 6th drive, the last before an intermission, was arguably his best.
He threw a 25-yard strike to Jack Van Dorselaer for a touchdown, putting the exclamation point on a nine-play drive.
Merklinger received contributions from a number of his teammates on the touchdown drive, as Peyton Lewis broke loose, rumbling for 22 yards.
Travis Smith was also able to draw a pass interference penalty, which gave his team a key first down.
George MacIntyre then received the opportunity to lead one final drive, and he did not disappoint, commanding the offensive unit to another touchdown drive, this one going 75 yards on nine plays.
It ended with another touchdown pass to Jack Van Dorselaer, this one from just four yards away.
The final drive of the game was led by Jake Merklinger, but only lasted three plays. Ethan Utley dropped Merklinger for a third-down sack.
Overall, a number of Volunteers turned in impressive showings. Although the day was surrounded by uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position, both of the Volunteers’ starting quarterback candidates showed flashes of starter-worthy play.
The 2025 Tennessee Football season will kick off in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 30, when they will face off the Syracuse Orange.