The college football landscape continues its whirlwind of changes as the transfer portal opens, and teams scramble to fill unexpected voids. The latest development involves the Tennessee Volunteers, who are reportedly considering Notre Dame transfer quarterback Steve Angeli as a potential replacement for their former star signal-caller, Nico Iamaleava. This news comes on the heels of Iamaleava’s anticipated transfer to UCLA, leaving a significant gap in Tennessee’s quarterback room.
Steve Angeli, a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining, recently entered the transfer portal after competing for the starting job at Notre Dame throughout spring practice.1 While he didn’t win the outright starting role against talented underclassmen CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey, Angeli has demonstrated his capabilities in his time with the Fighting Irish.2 In 21 appearances, including one start in the 2023 Sun Bowl where he threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns, Angeli has completed 58 of 80 passes for 772 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just one interception.
Angeli’s most recent notable performance came in the 2025 Orange Bowl against Penn State. Stepping in for an injured Riley Leonard late in the second quarter, he orchestrated a crucial drive, completing six of seven passes for 44 yards to set up a field goal before halftime.3 This poise under pressure in a high-stakes situation likely caught the attention of Tennessee’s coaching staff.
The departure of Nico Iamaleava has created an immediate need for a quarterback with experience in Knoxville. Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit, started for the Volunteers in 2024, throwing for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns.4 His decision to enter the transfer portal, with UCLA appearing to be his likely destination, leaves Tennessee with just two scholarship quarterbacks on their roster: redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and early enrollee George MacIntyre. While both are promising young talents, they lack significant game experience at the SEC level.
According to reports, Tennessee is actively evaluating the quarterback market, and Angeli’s name has emerged as a serious contender. His experience as a backup at a prominent program like Notre Dame, coupled with his solid performances in limited action, makes him an attractive option to provide immediate depth and competition. While he may not possess the same high-ceiling potential that Iamaleava was projected to have, Angeli offers a level of reliability and proven ability that could be invaluable for the Volunteers in the upcoming season.
The situation is still developing, and no official offer or commitment has been made. However, the internal discussions within the Tennessee program regarding Angeli highlight the urgency to address their quarterback situation. As the transfer portal remains open, other potential targets may emerge. Still, Steve Angeli’s name being in the mix signifies a strategic move by Tennessee to secure a quarterback with college game experience to navigate the 2025 season. For Notre Dame, Angeli’s departure solidifies the quarterback battle between Carr and Minchey, paving the way for one of the talented youngsters to take the reins of the offense.
