Josh Heupel sets expectations for Nico Iamaleava's first career Tennessee start
What once felt like a longshot became a reality for the Tennessee Vols on Wednesday. Redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton announced that he's opting out of the Citrus Bowl against Iowa which means true freshman sensation Nico Iamaleava will receive his first career start for the Vols. Milton, who is from South Florida and played […]
What once felt like a longshot became a reality for the Tennessee Vols on Wednesday.
Redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton announced that he's opting out of the Citrus Bowl against Iowa which means true freshman sensation Nico Iamaleava will receive his first career start for the Vols.
Milton, who is from South Florida and played high school football in Orlando (the site of the Citrus Bowl), will begin preparation for the 2024 NFL Draft, though he's with the team this week and participating in team meetings.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel spoke to reporters on Wednesday after UT's first practice in Orlando and he outlined the expectations for Nico in his first career start.
“This is going be his first start," said Heupel. "At the end of the day, we’ve got to play well enough. He’s got to play well enough to help us go win this football game. That’s ultimately what we’re trying to accomplish. I said it to the guys earlier, it’s important anytime you have a young player, and I don’t care what position he’s playing, that the other 10 guys around him play at a really high level and do the ordinary things really consistently to allow that guy to function and operate at the level that he’s capable of. Listen, this game’s never perfect. We don’t expect Nico to go out and play perfect. [We] expect him to reset and give our playmakers an opportunity to go make plays.”
While the Citrus Bowl will serve as a great developmental game for Nico, Heupel's main goal is to leave Orlando with a win. And he knows that it'll take all 11 on both sides of the ball, not just Nico, to earn a win against a tough Iowa Hawkeyes team.
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