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Nico Iamaleava is sure to be one of the most talented quarterbacks in the SEC over his next few seasons. Though he’s started just one game in Knoxville, a 35-0 win over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, he brings five-star status to the Tennessee backfield.
Iamaleava signed with the Vols as the nation’s top passer in the class of 2023 (On3 Sports), where he outranked Texas’s Arch Manning. Now, he’ll get the keys to the UT offense.
While inexperienced, he seems ready for that QB1 tag. The signal caller boasts boatloads of confidence, some of which was on display in a recent offseason interview.
He was asked about the 2024 campaign, which will be his first as a full-time starter. Nico Iamaleava is not scared! In fact, he’s ready to run towards the fire, not away from it.
This guy is nuts. I love it🧃
pic.twitter.com/dEoBNZx2Df— J.D. PicKell (@jdpickell) July 30, 2024
“I definitely love road games more than home games,” Iamaleava replied when asked about the upcoming schedule. “I don’t want to upset our fans – I love playing in Neyland Stadium – but I feel like in away games, all the odds are against you.
“It gives you a little more of that feeling, you could say focus… Going on the road is something I’ve always loved to do.”
For Tennessee fans, that’s something you absolutely LOVE to hear. The guy is a competitor, and he’s up to the challenge of life in the SEC.
For opponents, it’s bulletin board material.
Nico Iamaleava put a target on his back!
Teams are always looking for that edge, especially when it relates to a highly touted newcomer, and there’s no doubt this comment will be used as motivation.
As we see each and every offseason, major college football programs make their claim as to having the most intimidating and electric atmospheres. There might be more of an emphasis placed on it when the Vols come to town this fall!
Tennessee faces off against the likes of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Georgia in SEC road games this season. They’ll be sure to provide a hostile environment when Iamaleava and Co. come to visit.
The QB appeared in five games last season, three of which came in Neyland Stadium’s friendly confines, with the other two taking place at neutral sites.
He’s yet to see a true road atmosphere!
In those five appearances, Iamaleava threw for 314 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He rushed for three more scores, showing off his versatility.
He has a chance to develop into one of the league’s best passers, but there could be some added motivation for opponents to keep him down!