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NORMAN — OU football general manager Jim Nagy spoke candidly when he joined the Sooners’ in-stadium radio broadcast during Saturday’s Crimson Combine.
“There is a rather big story going on in Knoxville,” analyst Gabe Ikard said, referring to Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s intention to enter the transfer portal following public NIL disputes. “I don’t really want to ask you about that specifically, but what is your strategy, your staff’s strategy, the coaches. How do we avoid a situation like that?”
ESPN reported Saturday morning the Volunteers intend to move on from Iamaleava in the wake of his decision to not attend practice Friday amid NIL contract discussions with the school. Yahoo Sports also reported Iamaleava has submitted his paperwork to enter the transfer portal.
Nagy said he was in a group text message thread with OU’s coaches Saturday morning discussing a situation “at another school.”
“This can’t happen here,” Nagy told the coaches. “There are red flags along the way that probably could’ve pointed to this happening. … That’s a doomsday scenario.”
Nagy emphasized the importance of getting to know players and families during the recruiting process.
“I think you really need to get to know these players and their families through the recruiting process,” Nagy said. “Knowing the player is one thing. We can all watch the tape and identify that. But when we have families on campus and we have players on campus, that’s really work to get to know them.”
Colton Sulley covers college sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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