Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava isn't used to being a backup QB; How he's handling a new role
Tennessee Vols true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava isn't used to being a backup player. As a former five-star recruit, Iamaleava is usually the center of attention. Suffice it to say, he's been the focal point of most teams he's been on during his young sports career. And that's exactly the point that a reporter made […]
Tennessee Vols true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava isn't used to being a backup player.
As a former five-star recruit, Iamaleava is usually the center of attention. Suffice it to say, he's been the focal point of most teams he's been on during his young sports career.
And that's exactly the point that a reporter made to Iamaelava this week during Tennessee football's media day.
A reporter asked Nico what it's like being the backup quarterback to Joe Milton after being the focal point of every team he's been on in recent years.
Iamaleava, unsurprisingly, is handling his new (temporary) role quite well.
"It hasn't been too much (of an adjustment), man," said Iamaleava. "I think when I first got here, just seeing what we had already, and just me wanting to be a part of the team is what it was for me. I know Joe's the guy and like I said I'll be prepared if my number gets called."
It probably helps that Iamaleava is keeping a starter's mentality while serving as Milton's backup.
"I look at it as if I was going to be the starter," explained Iamaleava. "Taking mental reps and all that. Joe does a good job of helping me with all of that stuff."
Not every five-star quarterback comes in and has a team-first attitude like Nico. But that's the reason he was Tennessee's top recruiting target in 2023. Not only does Nico have the physical skills/IQ to be a superstar in the SEC (and possibly at the next level), but he's a perfect fit for the Vols' culture under Josh Heupel.
And he's showed that by the way he's seamlessly handled the transition from star high school player to backup quarterback (and then eventually to star college football player).
Quote from Vols teammate makes Nico Iamaleava sound like Patrick Mahomes
A quote from a Tennessee Vols true freshman on Thursday made QB Nico Iamaleava sound a lot like Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
