2 national recruiting analysts predict Tennessee Vols will land 2023 5-star recruit
Could the Tennessee Vols end up landing one of the top 2023 recruits in the nation? It's starting to feel like a very real possibility that they could. Two longtime national recruiting analysts — On3's Chad Simmons and Sam Spiegelman — have each predicted that Tennessee will secure a commitment from five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava. […]
Could the Tennessee Vols end up landing one of the top 2023 recruits in the nation?
It's starting to feel like a very real possibility that they could.
Two longtime national recruiting analysts — On3's Chad Simmons and Sam Spiegelman — have each predicted that Tennessee will secure a commitment from five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Iamaleava is ranked by On3 as the No. 5 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class.
The California native visited Tennessee this past weekend and he received the full star treatment. Iamaleava had fans chant his name at the Vols' basketball game against Arkansas (he told VolQuest's Austin Price that the chant was his favorite part of the trip). He also received plenty of love from fans around town as he signed numerous autographs.
Iamaleava has noted several times that he wants to sign with a program that shows they want him. Tennessee certainty did a good job this past weekend of showing that they want Nico on Rocky Top.
The Vols are battling Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Ole Miss, and Oregon for Iamaleava's commitment. For now, it appears that Alabama and Georgia are locked in on 2023 five-star quarterback Arch Manning, who is expected to commit later this fall. Iamaleava is expected to commit in May, which means this battle is likely between Tennessee, Miami, and Oregon.
Oregon has the edge when it comes to proximity to Iamaleava's hometown in California. But I don't think any other program will be able to compete with the fanfare that Nico received while he was in Knoxville.
And that could end up being the difference in this recruiting battle.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC
