Former Ohio State HC Urban Meyer takes tough stance on Tennessee following Nico Iamaleava’s departure
Last week it was the Nico Iamaleava situation with Tennessee that took the college football world by storm. It was the first situation where a player was publically holding out for a raise in NIL. Tennessee parted ways with Iamaleava and the quarterback committed to UCLA today. The California native landing with the Bruins made […]
Last week it was the Nico Iamaleava situation with Tennessee that took the college football world by storm. It was the first situation where a player was publically holding out for a raise in NIL.
Tennessee parted ways with Iamaleava and the quarterback committed to UCLA today. The California native landing with the Bruins made plenty of sense.
Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer believes that the Vols are in rough shape after the exit of Iamaleava.
“Here’s the reality … Tennessee is screwed,” Meyer said on “The Triple Option podcast”. “They’ve got a problem. You lose a potential high-draft pick. You have the backup quarterback left last year and now you have a redshirt freshman that threw nine passes as a freshman. You have zero experience, and the portal opens as we speak. They are going to have to go get one.”
Iamaleava leaving Tennessee leaves the Vols likely having to start redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, who attempted nine passes and completed six of them as a true freshman. Merklinger only played in two games, so he was able to keep his redshirt. Tennessee is likely to add quarterback depth in the portal, though finding a starter for an SEC team may be tough in the spring.
Ohio State beating Tennessee in the College Football Playoff was the final game that Iamaleava played in with the Vols and it didn’t go well. Iamaleava passed for for 104 yards and no touchdowns on 14-of-31 attempts. The former Tennessee quarterback had 20 rushes for 47 yards.
Now, Iamaleava will get a chance to play the Buckeyes in November when the Bruins play Ohio State during their second season in the Big Ten.
