Per Thamel: Heupel informed team this morning that Vols would move on from Nico.

[C-south]

Compared to the money that nonstarters were getting. He was getting way under market value. I’m just like some others on here, he overplayed his hand.

It was about money from the very beginning. UT went to bat for him and got what he wanted and he still sold out. “Market value” is a ridiculous term used for a college player, especially one who hasn’t proven he’s worth what he’s already getting.

 

[CardsNVols]

I feel like Nico's camp saw some writing on the wall and tried to milk the situation while they could. Sampson was the offense last year, and with him gone, there was a non-insignificant chance that Nico totally flops here in '25. This offseason might've been the biggest payday he ever gets, as nothing about him thus far has screamed NFL.

I don't wish ill on the kid, but time will tell if, when, and how hard that could backfire. With him still being so young, it really exemplifies how unfortunate the current landscape of college football is. Now we will never know if he could have met his potential at UT; or maybe in general if he doesn't land in the right spot.

 

[onevol74]

1. I'm pretty sure he isn't the only player we are going to lose over this.
2. while there may be potentially capable guys in reserve they are extremely young and unproven
3. The shakeup at OL from last year to this year was already going to be a hurdle to overcome. we needed a QB with experience.

I'm not saying Tennessee is going to lose 10 games this year, but I'm definitely saying they aren't going to win 10 games. it's going to be a bumpy ride again just like a couple years ago.

Who cares? it is a rebuilding year anyway. Maybe we can get better QB play with someone else. If other players leave it just means they did not want to be here anyway.

 

[Jaws]

I’ve never seen more Florida support for a Tennessee decision. And I actually think this likely leads to TN finding a better QB. But after having gone through some ugliness with Rashada, I’m so glad that Huepel and others told this kid to kick rocks. Well done.

 

[Carl Pickens]

I’m predicting he goes to Miami

 

[swampfoxfan]

Good on Heupel. This will galvanize the team. I just hope Merk is ready. GBO!

Please Merk don't do the same

 

[Proud Army Wife]

 

[xman1102]

I’m predicting he goes to Miami

They are paying Beck like $5mil this year

 

[OrangeTsar]

I’m not mad at Nico. He has a right to play wherever. I only get mad when local kids leave. I’m very impressed with Heupel. He’s a winner. He took a no win situation and won anyway. After yesterday I think this has to galvanize the team and the fan base.
I dont expect a portal QB nor want one. Our QB’s have earned the right to lead this team and we have another on the way. I think the players will follow their lead. I wonder if this is really why we have had trouble with WR recruiting. A good offense needs a true leader. They sure as hell want to know their QB will still be there in the fall.
I think Nico is a good if not great QB but the drop off is not as damaging as the consequences had he stayed. I’m just mad I have a lot of money invested in his football cards. No fan base spends like the Vols. The timing of this will undoubtedly hurt him and I doubt an elite program will touch him and tarnish their image and perhaps poison their culture. That would be like hiring Lane Kiffin. I can see him ending up at some school praying for relevance like ASU,Cal or BYU like someone mentioned.

I am mad at Nico. Tennessee bet the future of the entire program on him TWICE. First when we offered him the first mega NIL deal and secondly when we joined with the State of Tennessee to do battle against the NCAA to defend his deal. Both cases could have resulted in the death penalty for the program if the NCAA had prevailed. We bet the farm on this kid and put all of our chips to the center of the table. I might could easily forgive mere greed. But his is ugly and crass ingratitude of epic proportions . That is much harder to look past

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

I’m predicting he goes to Miami

Beck is there

UCLA or Washington....

 

[perico]

Again, it makes me appreciate the leadership of Hendon and Joe Milton when they were here.

 

[MDsweetT]

I’m predicting he goes to Miami

Well he’s not beating out Carson Beck and then he’d have 2 years to start since he can’t redshirt again.

I think he’s going somewhere on the West Coast. This is a wild situation. I’m not gonna bash Nico. It’s unfortunate it came to this.

I wish the kid well but ready to move forward with what we have. Can’t be a Me person in a We sport. GBO!

 

[Godfatha]

I’ve never seen more Florida support for a Tennessee decision. And I actually think this likely leads to TN finding a better QB. But after having gone through some ugliness with Rashada, I’m so glad that Huepel and others told this kid to kick rocks. Well done.

And Rashada still hasn't found a team lol

 

[overseasorange2]

Lot of people get angry over that nonsense, but don't understand all the hard work and development of new ideas that make real bank to earn those 4 and 5's on performance reviews.

If you are willing to pay a player that was no better than the average SEC QB last year 4 Million a year: than you have the correct name. Not only what he wants, but the timing of it, just before the spring game. Not to mention, that his reps during spring practice are wasted on a QB that won't be here. I'll put that right up there with the Kiffin screw job! SAD!!!!!

 

[KeyVol14]

I’ve never seen more Florida support for a Tennessee decision. And I actually think this likely leads to TN finding a better QB. But after having gone through some ugliness with Rashada, I’m so glad that Huepel and others told this kid to kick rocks. Well done.

How's lagway progressing? He's gonna be a handful I fear

 

[SuzyVol]

from the ESPN article, the Tennessee NIL collective began searching for Nico's replacement leading me to believe Heupel isnt keen on starting Merk.

Now that spring practices are winding down, maybe we can poach a fine, upstanding, honorable, man-of-his-word young man to replace the greedy, low-character, disloyal, selfish QB who someone poached from us.

 

[Alto1]

Proud of Huepel for showing nobody is bigger than the team

.

 

[onevol74]

Can't believe some of yall defended a cookie pajamas wearing grown man

This is what happens when you let girls play in boys' sports.

 

[ochocinco]

Now that spring practices are winding down, maybe we can poach a fine, upstanding, honorable, man-of-his-word young man to replace the greedy, low-character, disloyal, selfish QB who someone poached from us.

Exactly. F that. Let’s dance with the ones that bring us.

 

[BigorangeBoy]

ESPN says we have already kicked the tires through intermediaries to gauge interest, and one school has already upped their QB’s NIL deal to avoid losing him

 

[Raiford62]

Probably not know, with the timing, but if the passing game sucks this year my money is yes.

It already sucked. I watched every game last year. We can talk all we want about Nico but he wasn't worth money. It might be Merks first year at QB but it will not be any worse than what Nico did.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

ESPN says we have already kicked the tires through intermediaries to gauge interest, and one school has already upped their QB’s NIL deal to avoid losing him

Tennessee's one superpower is getting other players and coaches more money at their schools. we excel at that.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Well he’s not beating out Carson Beck and then he’d have 2 years to start since he can’t redshirt again.

I think he’s going somewhere on the West Coast. This is a wild situation. I’m not gonna bash Nico. It’s unfortunate it came to this.

I wish the kid well but ready to move forward with what we have. Can’t be a Me person in a We sport. GBO!

Then I shall bash him for you . He Bit the hand that made his whole multi million deal possible. Tennessee broke new ground in NIL scope to get the kid. „Thank you“ would have been nice

 

[loggervol]

It was about money from the very beginning. UT went to bat for him and got what he wanted and he still sold out. “Market value” is a ridiculous term used for a college player, especially one who hasn’t proven he’s worth what he’s already getting.

Yes, but Nico isn’t and wasn’t the only one asking for and getting more money than they originally agreed to. If you start negotiating contracts, this is going to happen.

I’m happy that Heup didn’t capitulate to Nico’s demands but there was always going to be a renegotiation of his contract whether we like it or not. And, Nico was going get what other Qb’s were getting. You may not like the “market value” but that’s what it is.

 

[OrangeTsar]

I feel like Nico's camp saw some writing on the wall and tried to milk the situation while they could. Sampson was the offense last year, and with him gone, there was a non-insignificant chance that Nico totally flops here in '25. This offseason might've been the biggest payday he ever gets, as nothing about him thus far has screamed NFL.

I don't wish ill on the kid, but time will tell if, when, and how hard that could backfire. With him still being so young, it really exemplifies how unfortunate the current landscape of college football is. Now we will never know if he could have met his potential at UT; or maybe in general if he doesn't land in the right spot.

I do know that he is never going to find a coach as good as Heup at developing his potential.