Getty Image / Bryan Lynn
The Tennessee Volunteers could have a “homegrown” superstar quarterback for the first time arguably since Peyton Manning back in the late 1990s in sophomore Nico Iamalevea.
The former five-star and top-overall recruit in the country according to at least one source in the Class of 2023 will be taking over the reins of Josh Heupel’s high-powered attack for the first time this year. Given his talent and the system he’s in, sportsbooks are giving him a pretty good chance of winning the Heisman Trophy.
Make no mistake, Nico Iamaleava has all the tools to not only be a great college quarterback but to also be the top overall pick in the NFL Draft one day.
In limited action last year, he was 28-45 for 314 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no picks and added over 70 yards on the ground. He definitely flashed at times while backing up Joe Milton. He started in the Citrus Bowl last year against Iowa, leading Tennessee to a victory.
Look at his highlights from last year and you can see the talent pretty clearly.
ESPN Bet posted their Heisman odds in a Twitter graphic on Saturday. They had Nico Iamaleava at +1500, sixth-overall in their odds. That number is right in line with his consensus odds, which puts him in the 6-10 range.
That’s a pretty high ranking in the odds considering his lack of experience and the fact that it’s unlikely that Tennessee goes undefeated or has one loss this year. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman last year with a 3-loss LSU team, but he had an unreal year that would be hard for Iamaleava to replicate statistically.
We will know right away whether Iamaleava is a true Heisman contender. Tennessee plays two teams ranked in the preseason in North Carolina State and Oklahoma before the calendar turns to October. If he has two big games, the Heisman buzz is going to become inescapable.