Vols OC Joey Halzle makes strong statement about true freshman QB Nico Iamaleava
Joe Milton will be the undisputed starting quarterback for the Tennessee Vols in 2023. If Milton performs as expected, he has the potential to be a Heisman Trophy candidate and possibly a top 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But as excited as fans are about Milton, there's even more excitement for true freshman […]
Joe Milton will be the undisputed starting quarterback for the Tennessee Vols in 2023.
If Milton performs as expected, he has the potential to be a Heisman Trophy candidate and possibly a top 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But as excited as fans are about Milton, there's even more excitement for true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
The former five-star recruit arrived in Knoxville this past winter amid a ton of hype. Iamaleava looks like a future top NFL Draft pick thanks to his ideal size, elite skills, competitive demeanor and ability to lead. There's no such thing as a "sure thing" when it comes to sports, but Iamaleava checks all of the boxes that coaches look for in elite quarterbacks.
If things to go plan this fall, then Iamaleava will only see action in mop-up duty.
However, if Milton is injured, or if he unexpectedly underperforms, then Tennessee has confidence that Iamaelava can get the job done — even though he's only a true freshman.
Vols offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle met with reporters on Tuesday ahead of the start of Tennessee's fall training camp and his words will only serve to increase the excitement that UT fans are feeling in regards to Nico.
"That guy is mature beyond his years," said Halzle. "He didn't come in like a true freshman. He came in wanting to learn, not thinking like a highly rated recruit…he came in understanding like 'I want to learn, I need to know'. And the way that guy just has his calmness on the field, his demeanor. I think the guys will believe in him as well that if he's called upon to do the job, that dude can step in and compete and perform at a high level. So we have a ton of confidence in that guy."
Nico needs to learn as much as possible about the offense this season. Heupel's offense is unique and it requires a significant amount of chemistry between quarterbacks and receivers. That's not to say Nico couldn't excel from day one in Tennessee's offense. But the more he learns this season, the better he'll be in 2024 when he'll be the day one starter for the Volunteers.
Still, hearing these words from Halzle is incredibly encouraging for Tennessee fans. It certainly sounds like Nico is everything that Vols fans were hoping he would be.
Tennessee offensive coordinator speaks on bond between QBs Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava
Tennessee Vols offensive coordinator Joey Halzle spoke on the bond between QBs Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
