Nico Iamaleava says the words that Tennessee Vols fans have been waiting to hear
There was a sizable amount of hype for Nico Iamaleava entering the 2023 season. Many fans wondered what the young, talented signal caller would look like in the Vols' offense. That wonder was magnified amid shoddy offensive performances by Tennessee's offense through the season. Now, after Tennessee's 35-0 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, the level […]
There was a sizable amount of hype for Nico Iamaleava entering the 2023 season. Many fans wondered what the young, talented signal caller would look like in the Vols' offense. That wonder was magnified amid shoddy offensive performances by Tennessee's offense through the season.
Now, after Tennessee's 35-0 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, the level of optimism regarding the Volunteers' future is high.
How high? As sky high as the hype surrounding new freshman quarterback sensation Nico Iamaleava after his strong showing Monday afternoon in Orlando. In his first career start, Iamaleava completed 12 of 19 passing for 151 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns against the nation's number three scoring defense.
After the game on stage, Iamaleava, when asked about the future of this team, had a very simple but powerful response.
"Everybody has a goal in their minds," Iamaleava said. "We're trying to win a national championship."
That's certainly a lofty goal and a strong statement to be putting out there. Then again, it's hard to remember a performance by a true freshman quarterback as confidence-inspiring and mature as what Tennessee fans witnessed on Monday against Iowa.
The national championship is something that will take time. Rome wasn't built in a day. The Vols' struggles against Georgia have shown the gap the Volunteers need to close across their roster in order to get there.
But having a difference-making star at the quarterback position creates opportunities not just on the field but also in recruiting and the transfer portal. Great players want to play with other great players. It's another tool that Josh Heupel will have in his recruiting belt in the offseason.
As such, while 2024 might not end up as a championship season (although anything is possible), there's lots of reason to believe that it could be the stepping stool for something great in the not-so-distant future.
Nico Iamaleava immediately shows what Tennessee Vols’ offense has been missing
It was a brilliant performance from the Vols’ young signal caller
