The Tennessee Vols have already made one adjustment to Nico Iamaleava's game
Tennessee Vols true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class, arrived in Knoxville as a polished passer that was close to being game-ready the moment he stepped on campus. But while Iamaleava is an advanced talent with a high ceiling, there are still a few adjustments he has […]
Tennessee Vols true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class, arrived in Knoxville as a polished passer that was close to being game-ready the moment he stepped on campus.
But while Iamaleava is an advanced talent with a high ceiling, there are still a few adjustments he has to make now that he's at Tennessee.
Iamaleava detailed one of those adjustments on Tuesday during Tennessee's media day.
The California native was asked what kind of mechanical adjustments offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle has made with him so far. Iamaleava noted that the biggest thing Halzle has had him focus on is making fewer "off platform throws".
"Really to throw more off my back hip was really the main thing," explained Iamaleava. "I was throwing a lot of off-platform throws. I feel like you can make those throws, but they're not as good at all times. So just learning the base, getting back to the fundamentals and using my full power to make regular throws."
Those off-platform throws will be a critical part of Iamaleava's game. If you look at the quarterbacks in the NFL that are currently having success — guys like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen — you'll notice that off-platform throws are a big part of their arsenal (especially Mahomes).
But like Iamaelava noted, those throws aren't always the best idea. They're essentially a last resort when a play has gone south. Or when it's the only way the play can be made. An off-platform throw at the wrong time can result in a ball with not as much zip that ends up getting returned the other way for six points.
It's a small adjustment for Nico, but it's still an adjustment that needed to be made.
Iamaleava has elite talent that could lead to him being a top NFL Draft pick down the road. But he's not a finished product just yet. It's up to Josh Heupel, Halzle and the rest of Tennessee's staff to get Iamaleava to that point. And based on what we've seen from those coaches over the last two years, there's little reason to doubt that Iamaleava will reach his full potential while wearing a Vols uniform.
Tennessee offensive coordinator speaks on bond between QBs Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava
Tennessee Vols offensive coordinator Joey Halzle spoke on the bond between QBs Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
