“The System is Broken”: Will Compton Gives a Reality Check to NCAA as Nico Iamaleava Demands $4 Million

10 years ago, the names, images, and likenesses of NCAA athletes were in the sole possession of the NCAA. Now, the floodgates are open, and players are beginning to command millions of dollars in exchange for their athletic talents.

In what is perhaps the most extreme example of the NIL era to date, the sophomore signal caller, Nico Iamaleava, has made it clear that he’s seeking no less than four million dollars in NIL earnings from his next program following a breakup with the Tennessee Volunteers.

In light of recent reports stating that the 20-year-old threatened to opt out of playoff games in light of not receiving the desired compensation, many believe that the foundations of college football are being eroded.

Among those who find themselves upset by the news is the star of the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast, Will Compton. In suggesting that Iamaleava’s attempt at securing more money reflects the selfish nature that is seemingly encouraged through the NIL process, the former player wasn’t ready to take the excuse that Nico is “just a kid and doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

“Nico is a kid. However, I hate that excuse. As a player, you don’t want to be in a situation where fingers are being pointed at other people for choices being made on your behalf.”

Talking from a former college “player perspective,” Compton explained that things are not always as simple as assuming that college kids are influenced by external factors.

“I didn’t come from the NIL era. However, I did play college football…Although we’re kids, we’re not idiots…If you’re a guy that’s leveraging more dollars in the middle of the season because you have to play extra games because that’s what your representation and council is telling you… I promise you, your head is in the wrong spot.”

Compton also didn’t pull any punches as he held up a mirror to the NCAA and expressed that the demands alone show that “the system is broken.”

“The system needs better guardrails. And the system needs better leadership from the top so situationships like this don’t happen.”

Nico now finds himself in a tricky position. His reputation seems to be at stake, and many are wondering whether any team would even be willing to have him now. As Compton explained, Iamaleava will have to produce some impressive results if he does end up getting that $4 million bag. Especially after all this hubahub.

While he does understand the prospect’s desire to get paid, he did have some words of advice for the youngster.

“If there’s anything I could say to Nico, it’d be that whenever you sign this next dotted line, be ready to be all ball. Be ready to be about the team because the next team that signs you is going to be looking for consistency… Nobody really wins in this situation other than, I guess, the f*cking agent who’s a slug.”

Given the shift in the sentiment of fans toward the idea of NIL payments, most fans also seem in agreement with Compton’s sentiment.

Fans react to Will Compton’s take on Nico Iamaleava’s NIL dealings

An increasingly larger number of college football fans seem to be beginning to view the NIL change as a misstep. Factor in that Iamaleava only produced 2,616 passing yards throughout the 2024 season, and the frustrations become increasingly understandable.

Now effectively operating as a free agent, Iamaleava will attempt to net the biggest deal possible on the open market. Early reports suggest that the 20-year-old prospect could draw interest from the likes of UCLA, Tulane, and even Bill Belichick’s UNC.

The ever-incentivized nature of college athletics is likely to produce more instances such as this in the future, as more and more student athletes continue to be enticed by lump sums of cash and short-term notoriety. Nevertheless, until further changes are made to the NCAA system as a whole, fans can expect the emerging trend to continue.