ESPN makes big statement on what Nico Iamaleava could mean for the Tennessee Vols in 2024
ESPN put out a list this week of the 10 most interesting quarterbacks in college football in 2024 and Tennessee Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a rising redshirt freshman, was unsurprisingly included. Part of the reason ESPN finds Iamaleava interesting is because of what he could mean for the Vols this fall. ESPN's Bill Connelly noted […]
ESPN put out a list this week of the 10 most interesting quarterbacks in college football in 2024 and Tennessee Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a rising redshirt freshman, was unsurprisingly included.
Part of the reason ESPN finds Iamaleava interesting is because of what he could mean for the Vols this fall.
ESPN's Bill Connelly noted that Iamaleava's abilities with his legs means he should at least be a more mobile version of Joe Milton, last year's starter on Rocky Top. If Iamaleava is better than that, Connelly thinks it could be "hello playoff" for Tennessee.
From ESPN: He was safe with the ball, and his legs were both great and terrible in the Citrus Bowl blowout of Iowa (three rushing touchdowns, six sacks). In other words, he was a work in progress, but if he's nothing more than a more-mobile version of Milton in 2024, Tennessee's ceiling gets a little higher. If he's even more than that, then it's "hello, College Football Playoff."
It feels like everyone in college football is anxious to see what Iamaleava can deliver for the Vols in 2024. Iamaleava has Heisman Trophy-caliber upside — which also means he has the upside to lead a program to a national championship.
We've seen in the past how transcendent quarterbacks can carry a program to a national championship. If that's the type of quarterback that Iamaleava ends up being, then the next two years in East Tennessee are going to be a lot of fun.
Former Tennessee WR Jauan Jennings’ fate for the 2024 season trending in specific direction
Jauan Jennings had a breakout game in Super Bowl LVIII
