Josh Heupel shares thoughts on Vols QB Nico Iamaleava's game action against Virginia
Tennessee Vols true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava made his much anticipated debut on Saturday afternoon in UT's 49-13 win against the Virginia Cavaliers. With the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, Iamaleava entered in relief of starting quarterback Joe Milton. And Iamaleava quickly led the Vols on a scoring drive. Iamaleava had a […]
Tennessee Vols true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava made his much anticipated debut on Saturday afternoon in UT's 49-13 win against the Virginia Cavaliers.
With the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, Iamaleava entered in relief of starting quarterback Joe Milton. And Iamaleava quickly led the Vols on a scoring drive.
Iamaleava had a nice run, showing his pocket presence and underrated physicality, that went for eight yards. He also had an impressive incomplete pass where he avoided pressure and then threw across his body, just missing a touchdown.
There was a receiver wide open close to the sideline, but considering it was the first drive of Nico's career, and he had multiple defenders pursuing him, I think the focus should be on the impressive play he almost made (and a play he likely will make with more game reps). The ability that Nico showed on that play is exactly why he was rated as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 recruiting class.
After the game, Vols head coach Josh Heupel was asked about Iamaleava's debut. And Tennessee's head coach indicated that he liked what he saw from his young quarterback.
"Same things that we've seen — really calm, cool, good demeanor," said Heupel when asked about Iamaleava. "Able to communicate, handle all of the pre snap stuff the right way, get his eyes in the right place. I thought he showed some athleticism. I love the feel in the pocket, being able to step up and get out of it and go make a play with his feet. He's athletic enough to be used in the run game and escape the pocket."
"I thought some of the run-pass stuff he did a good job," added Heupel. "He made an athletic throw, didn't complete it, but throwing across his body on a little slant route that ended up not being completed. But all in all, a really solid performance."
Nico looked like the real deal in his short amount of action on Saturday. He obviously still has a lot of growing to do, but the tools are there for Iamaleava to be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, if not the best, at some point in the not-so-distant future.
2 Tennessee players showed against Virginia that they’re going to make a major impact in 2023
2 Tennessee Vols football players showed against Virginia that they’re going to make a major impact in 2023
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
