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Arkansas hires a game-changing lawyer to pursue Madden Iamaleava NIL buyout

"When you have Tom Mars on the other sideline, you better buckle up.” — Houston Nutt
ByAustin Farmer|
Oct 14, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman dresses down the line judge after failing to make a penalty call during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Oct 14, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman dresses down the line judge after failing to make a penalty call during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images | John David Mercer-Imagn Images

There's a new development in Arkansas' pursuit of the NIL buyout from two former players. Arkansas Edge has hired a potential game-changing lawyer, as reported by CBS Sports reporter Brandon Marcello.

Arkansas hires Tom Mars in quest for NIL buyouts

Anyone with a scintilla of experience in the legal landscape of the Natural State knows who Thomas Mars is. Mars spent his childhood in Bethesda, Md., but after being denied by multiple schools back home on the East Coast, he attended law school at the University of Arkansas. Since then, he has counseled public officials, high-profile clients, and mega-corporations, including in-house counsel for Wal-Mart.

Lately, Mars has been entrenched in the NCAA NIL/transfer portal conversation. He's represented many players and institutions in the recent barrage of legal cases hitting the courts. However, his legendary status among Arkansas fans may have begun with the defamation case between former Razorback head coach Houston Nutt and Hogs rival—and Nutt's former employer—Ole Miss.

After only asking for a private apology from the university, which they refused, Mars brought the Rebels and new head coach Hugh Freeze to their knees. He uncovered Freeze and others helped to create the narrative that Ole Miss' recruiting violations started with Nutt and, in the process, revealed Freeze's now famous phone records with calls to an escort company.

Afterward, Nutt warned the Wall Street Journal about the dangers for those opposed to Mars, “When you have Tom Mars on the other sideline, you better buckle up.” That now includes the Iamaleavas.

Former Arkansas quarterback Madden Iamaleava flipped his commitment from UCLA to Arkansas on national signing day. But less than five months later, the 4-star QB entered the transfer portal to join his brother, Nico, where he originally committed. Shortly after, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yuracheck posted a graphic on X (formally Twitter) that encouraged Arkansas Edge to fight for the NIL buyouts.

Within a few days, news broke that the collective had sent demand letters to two former student-athletes, including one demanding $200,000 from Iamaleava. Initially, the other letter was thought to have gone to another freshman, but according to Marcello, the other player is Dazmin James.

James failed to record a catch during the regular season, but after most of Arkansas' production left before the Razorbacks' bowl game against Texas Tech, he earned himself a starting spot against the Red Raiders. He exploded with a three-reception, 137-yard, one-touchdown game that gave Arkansas fans hope about the WR room going into the 2026 season. But those hopes were quickly dashed when he entered the transfer portal four days later.

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