Urban Meyer picks Nico Iamaleava and the Tennessee Vols as his 'dark horse' to win the national championship in 2025
Former Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer tepidly picked the Texas Longhorns this week as his favorite to win the national championship, while selecting the Tennessee Vols as his "dark horse" team to win it all in 2025. Meyer, who was high on the Vols during the 2024 season, noted that […]
Former Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer tepidly picked the Texas Longhorns this week as his favorite to win the national championship, while selecting the Tennessee Vols as his "dark horse" team to win it all in 2025.
Meyer, who was high on the Vols during the 2024 season, noted that he thought Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava looked like future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers at times as a redshirt freshman last season.
"Nico, the quarterback at Tennessee, I have them (as a dark horse to win it all)," said Meyer on The Triple Option. "I remember when I first started studying them last year, I called Brady Quinn and Matt Leinart and said, 'What am I missing here? This guy looks like Aaron Rodgers'. The ball comes out of his hand like a tennis ball."
"He got really inconsistent," continued Meyer. "And the team around him got a little inconsistent. They still had a heck of a year. If that kid grows as a quarterback, he could be — you know, I asked the question after watching [Tennessee], and I know he wasn't playing great teams, but just his physical ability, his size, speed, athleticism, and the ball comes out [good], I saw him as a high first-round draft pick. Now, that remains to be seen, but I'll pick Tennessee (as a dark horse option to win the national championship)."
There's a long way to go until the 2025 College Football Playoff. But the Vols, if they stay healthy, should be very much in the mix to return to the playoff for a second straight season.
For Tennessee to make a deep playoff run, however, the Vols will need the players around Iamaleava to step up. Tennessee's wide receivers have to be more dynamic, the offensive line, which will have some new faces in 2025, will need to take a big step forward. The Vols' defense will also have to continue its high level of play under defensive coordinator Tim Banks.
And it goes without saying that Iamaleava will have to take a big step in his growth as an SEC quarterback.
If all of those things happen, then Tennessee will have a chance to break through and reach the Final Four of the playoff. And at that point, it'll be all about who's playing their best football at the right time.
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