New NIL rumor could improve Georgia’s SEC Championship hopes

Georgia football enters the 2025 season as the defending SEC Champions. With that comes a lot of expectations that Georgia needs to defend their crown, but that is nothing new to UGA after winning multiple national titles in the last few years.

But one thing that comes with being the defending champion in the SEC is an increase in competition. Every other program in the SEC will want to be the team that defeats Georgia and takes down the reigning champ, so that means every team on Georgia’s schedule will give Georgia their best shot.

One of those teams on Georgia’s schedule that will compete for an SEC title with UGA this season is Tennessee. The Vols have been a solid program for awhile now, but they have been unable to break through and really contend for an SEC Championship. But that is the expectation this year for Tennessee, and Georgia travels to Knoxville week three which will have massive SEC title implications.

But a new NIL report just came out that could severely impact Tennessee’s season that then will have an impact on Georgia.

Nico Iamaleava could transfer

One of the reasons why expectations are so high next season for Tennessee is because of their star quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Most college football fans agree that Iamaleava could be one of the best QBs not just in the SEC, but in the country next season. So he and Tennessee are a serious threat to Georgia next year.

But a recent report from On3 indicates that Iamaleava is negotiating a new NIL deal, and if things don’t go his way he could transfer and leave Tennessee.

Iamaleava leaving Tennessee would really help Georgia next season not just in their game week three, but in the overall race for the SEC. So this will be something to pay close attention to as anything is possible when the transfer portal opens again later this month.