Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava details how often he talks with Vols legend Peyton Manning during the season
Earlier this month, Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel told NFL Network's Rich Eisen that UT quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Volunteers legend Peyton Manning have a "really good relationship". "Peyton has direct access to anything that he wants on Rocky Top as you would probably imagine," said Heupel. "But Peyton and Nico (Iamaleava) have a […]
Earlier this month, Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel told NFL Network's Rich Eisen that UT quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Volunteers legend Peyton Manning have a "really good relationship".
"Peyton has direct access to anything that he wants on Rocky Top as you would probably imagine," said Heupel. "But Peyton and Nico (Iamaleava) have a really good relationship."
Iamaleava elaborated on his relationship recently during an interview with ESPN's Chris Low.
The redshirt freshman quarterback told ESPN that Manning texts him before and after every game.
"He texts me before every game and then texts me after every game, whether it's a good game or bad game," said Iamaleava of his relationship with Manning. "It's not that he's giving me tips so much, but more, 'Great job. Keep working. I'm here whenever you need me.'"
Iamaleava told Low that Manning will send him YouTube clips to break down during the offseason.
"He might send me a YouTube clip of an NFL game and how he breaks it down and what I see," said Iamaleava. "If you ask him something, he's got the answer…With Peyton, it's always the little things."
There's no doubt that Manning is fully invested in Tennessee football. Whether it's helping financially, showing up to practices, supporting the team on game day, or giving tips to players like Iamaleava, the former Vol makes sure that he's doing what he can to help his alma mater find success.
As for Iamaleava, his career at UT is off to a terrific start. The California native is 11-2 in his first 13 games as a starter and he's fixing to lead the Vols into their first ever College Football Playoff game. Additionally, Iamaleava already has something that Peyton never got during his time on Rocky Top — a win against Florida.
