Georgia Bulldogs HC Kirby Smart leaves no doubt about how he feels about Tennessee Vols QB Nico Iamaleava
It's unclear if Tennessee Vols starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava will able to play against the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens this weekend. Iamaleava, who was listed as questionable on the first SEC injury report of the week, is reportedly in the concussion protocol after leaving Tennessee's win against Mississippi State last weekend. If Iamaleava is unable […]
It's unclear if Tennessee Vols starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava will able to play against the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens this weekend.
Iamaleava, who was listed as questionable on the first SEC injury report of the week, is reportedly in the concussion protocol after leaving Tennessee's win against Mississippi State last weekend.
If Iamaleava is unable to play against Georgia, backup quarterback Gaston Moore, who played the entire second half against Mississippi State, would get the start.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is preparing his team for both quarterbacks. Smart admitted this week that he doesn't know much about Moore.
The longtime Georgia coach, however, knows plenty about Iamaleava. And he was quick to praise Iamaleava for his athleticism this week ahead of the matchup between the Vols and the Bulldogs on Saturday night in Sanford Stadium.
Smart told reporters that he knew Iamaleava was a great passer, but he didn't realize how athletic the former five-star recruit was until he watched his game tape.
"Nico’s such a high-level athlete and some of the runs he’s made, I knew the kid was a great thrower, but I didn’t know he was this kind of athlete," said Smart. "Hitting the speeds he’s hitting GPS-wise, and he made a run on Alabama that was really elite. So, just recognizing his skill set is a lot."
Iamaleava had a slow start to SEC play (statistic wise), but he's turned it on as of late.
Over his last eight quarters (the second half against Alabama and the first half against Mississippi State), Iamaleava is 43-for-64 for 561 passings yards, four touchdowns, and 90 rushing yards (H/T @Jordanmoore_21).
The SEC injury report will be updated on Thursday and Friday, but it would be a surprise to see Iamaleava listed as anything but "questionable" ahead of the Vols' trip to Athens.
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