Tennessee coach reveals new nickname for Vols QB Nico Iamaleava
Tennessee Vols redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava apparently has a new nickname around the UT facility. Well, new to the public at least. Vols wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope met with reporters on Tuesday and he was asked about the urgency that Tennessee's wide receivers have in playing for a quarterback as talented as Iamaleava. […]
Tennessee Vols redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava apparently has a new nickname around the UT facility.
Well, new to the public at least.
Vols wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope met with reporters on Tuesday and he was asked about the urgency that Tennessee's wide receivers have in playing for a quarterback as talented as Iamaleava.
While responding to the question, Pope referred to Iamaleava as "8-ball" (Iamaleava wears No. 8).
"They love playing for that guy (Iamaleava), like absolutely love playing for him," said Pope. "It’s infectious in practice. It’s obviously easy in the game because the crowd’s there and there’s adrenaline, but they absolutely love playing for their guy. And as talented as he is, he’s an even better teammate and a better leader. That’s a testament to him and the growth that he’s shown since coming onto campus. It makes our group, our camaraderie, it makes the chemistry that much better when those guys love each other and they play hard for one another. They love playing for 8-Ball.”
We'll see if that nickname catches on with the fan base. Though at this point, it feels like Iamaleava is one of the rare college football players who can go simply by one name (Nico in this case) and everyone will know who you're talking about. So maybe a nickname isn't all that necessary.
