Nico Iamaleava drops quote after Tennessee's win against Chattanooga that confirms suspicion about Vols' starting QB
Tennessee Vols redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was fantastic in his home debut on Saturday against the Chattanooga Mocs. Iamaleava passed for 314 yards (a school record for a half) and three touchdowns in the Vols' 69-3 blowout win over Chattanooga. For Tennessee fans, Iamaleava's performance was everything they hoped it would be. The former […]
Tennessee Vols redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was fantastic in his home debut on Saturday against the Chattanooga Mocs.
Iamaleava passed for 314 yards (a school record for a half) and three touchdowns in the Vols' 69-3 blowout win over Chattanooga.
For Tennessee fans, Iamaleava's performance was everything they hoped it would be. The former five-star recruit was in total command of the offense, the tempo moved at a fast pace, and Iamaleava's accuracy/decision making was terrific.
After the game, Iamaleava was asked by a reporter if there was anything he can learn from a game that Tennessee led 38-0 at one point, or if there were any adverse situations that he had to push through in the season-opener.
Iamaleava's response sounded like it could have come straight from the lips of Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant.
“Shoot, to keep our foot on their throat," said Iamaleava. "When we go up big, I think still coming to the sideline with the same mindset that it's 0-0. And just carrying that out the full game, full four quarters, like Coach Heup says.”
That's a killer mindset from Iamaleava. Fans and analysts already knew that Iamaleava had the talent to be a superstar in the SEC. That response confirms that he has the mindset to be a superstar, too. It's something we all suspected about Iamaleava, but you never really know until a player settles into a role.
Iamaleava's response to that question also seemingly confirms that this Tennessee team has what it takes to make a deep post-season run.
Of course, a potential post-season run can't be on Tennessee's mind now that the season has started. It has to be a week-by-week and play-by-play approach. You can't make the College Football Playoff in September, but you can sure ruin your chances.
Iamaleava's mindset ensures that Tennessee won't be looking ahead this season. They're staying in the moment and focusing on whichever opponent is on the schedule that particular week.
The Vols have something special brewing on Rocky Top. It's a long season and there will likely be some adversity that Tennessee faces this fall, but the Vols have the pieces in place to make 2024 a season that UT fans won't soon forget.
