Josh Heupel gives an update on Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava that Vols fans will love
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel gave an update on true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava on Thursday that UT fans will (and should) love. Heupel spoke to the media after Tennessee's first fall scrimmage and he was asked about his philosophy on balancing being patient with Iamaleava while also pushing him (Nico is the top […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel gave an update on true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava on Thursday that UT fans will (and should) love.
Heupel spoke to the media after Tennessee's first fall scrimmage and he was asked about his philosophy on balancing being patient with Iamaleava while also pushing him (Nico is the top backup to starting quarterback Joe Milton).
Tennessee's third-year head coach was quick to point out that taking it slow with Nico isn't an option.
"You gotta grow," said Heupel when asked about Iamaleava. "You gotta be pushed. We install it, he's running everything. You've heard me say that when they finished spring ball, when they come back [at] the beginning of training camp, they should be a different player. He's a different player. He's got great command and understanding of what we're doing. [He] understands protections, understands how he's got to get us out of run/run checks, pass/run checks, whatever it might be."
Heupel also noted that Iameleava doesn't make the same mistake twice. Instead, he quickly learns from his mistakes and makes the proper adjustments.
"He hasn't been perfect, but he's grown," added Heupel. "One of the things that we talk about is not making the same mistake twice. He doesn't make the same mistake twice. He learns from it. There's a rep yesterday, as he's going through his reading progression, tight window on the inside, throws the ball. While he's standing in the pocket, you can see him visually like 'hey man, I should have got out to the next one outside'. He's intentional. He has great work habits."
Nico obviously still has to prove that he can find success on Saturdays. And while Tennessee is hoping he doesn't have to prove anything until next fall, it's clear that UT's coaches, including Heupel, believe in Iamaleava's ability to impact an SEC game as a true freshman. And that's exactly what Vols fans were hoping to hear this fall about the former No. 1 overall recruit in the nation.
Quote from Vols teammate makes Nico Iamaleava sound like Patrick Mahomes
A quote from a Tennessee Vols true freshman on Thursday made QB Nico Iamaleava sound a lot like Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
