Tennessee Vols redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be looking to take a big step forward in his development in 2025. 

Iamaleava led the Volunteers to an appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2024 — an incredibly impressive accomplishment that didn't necessarily lead to the praise the young quarterback deserved from the national media. 

Despite being just one of three SEC quarterbacks to lead their team to the CFP last season, it felt like Iamaleava has still been mostly overlooked by the national talking heads this offseason. 

Much of that is likely because those folks unwisely put more stock into individual statistics than wins. 

Iamaelava passed for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions last season. Solid numbers, but not eye-popping like the stat line we saw from Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward, for example, last season (4,313 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions). 

Of course, Iamaleava and the Vols played in the College Football Playoff while Ward and the Hurricanes were relegated to the Pop-Tarts Bowl. 

Which season would you prefer to have? 

I'm taking the one that gets me in the championship tournament every single time. 

SEC coaches dish on Tennessee Vols QB Nico Iamaleava

ESPN recently ranked the top 15 quarterbacks in college football and Iamaleava came in at No. 8 (ahead of Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, who is at No. 12). 

Several SEC coaches spoke to ESPN about what they saw in Iamaleava last season and they mostly came away impressed by the California native's size, big arm, and athleticism. 

"He's still young, trying to figure it out," said one SEC coach to ESPN. "He's got the tools. He can make things happen with his feet and has got a big, live arm. I'm sure he's going to take a big step here."

"He has the arm that can scare you and he's athletic,' noted an SEC defensive assistant. 

"I don't know if people realize how big he is," added an SEC defensive coordinator. "He has a really strong arm and he runs way better than what people think he can. He's just so big, so you can't tell how fast he is."

Iamaleava certainly appears to be more comfortable this spring in his role as the starting quarterback at Tennessee. That sense of comfort combined with a year of experience in Josh Heupel's offense while playing against SEC competition could lead a huge breakout season for the former five-star recruit. 

Former Vols player that transferred from Tennessee after the 2024 season has already switched positions at his new program

That didn’t take long