Latest news confirms clear reason to make a QB change for Tennessee Vols
The Tennessee Volunteers had high hopes for 2023 on the heels of an 11-win season and Orange Bowl victory a year ago. After back-to-back blowout losses, sights begin to turn towards 2024. Or at least they should in one major aspect. The Vols have an opportunity now to give freshman QB Nico Iamaleava some quality […]
The Tennessee Volunteers had high hopes for 2023 on the heels of an 11-win season and Orange Bowl victory a year ago. After back-to-back blowout losses, sights begin to turn towards 2024.
Or at least they should in one major aspect. The Vols have an opportunity now to give freshman QB Nico Iamaleava some quality reps in the team's final two games against Vanderbilt and their bowl game opponent.
According to Ben McKee of 247 Sports, the university has confirmed to him that the bowl game would not count towards the redshirt limit, which was the same case last year.
This matters because Iamaleava has played in three games so far this year. The maximum number of games a player can play in and maintain his redshirt status is four games. Vanderbilt would make four, and the waiver of a bowl game from counting as a fifth would allow Iamaleava to play in that as well.
Joe Milton simply hasn't been the answer at quarterback this year. Despite having flashes of quality play – from the first half of Alabama through the UConn game – he has disappeared in the times Tennessee has needed him most, specifically in three of the Vols' four losses.
His contributions to the University of Tennessee should not be forgotten. He helped deliver a memorable ending to the 2022 season that included a convincing victory over Clemson 31-14 in the Orange Bowl. He's been a terrific sport since losing the starting job to his friend Hendon Hooker in 2021.
However, what is in the best interest of the Tennessee program is the path forward, and the engine to move down that path is clearly the progress of Iamaleava. Vanderbilt is the perfect caliber of opponent to let Iamaleava get his feet wet against, and a decent Power 5 opponent will provide him a good challenge, as well as give the coaches a good look at their young star that they can evaluate over the offseason.
Sometimes change can be a painful thing. However, it's a move that Heupel absolutely needs to make this week.
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