Prominent college football analyst predicts Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava will win the Heisman Trophy in 2024

A prominent college football writer/analyst predicted this week that Tennessee Vols redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava will win the Heisman Trophy in 2024.

Multiple CBS Sports college football writers made predictions this week for the upcoming season, including predictions for the Heisman Trophy. CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli went with Iamaleava as his pick for the Heisman Trophy this fall.

From CBS Sports : If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm pretty high on Tennessee heading into the season. The 2024 Heisman race is as wide open as any I can remember in recent years, and at this time last season, nobody would've predicted LSU's Jayden Daniels would have the season he did. It's the kind of season I believe Iamaleava can have. Look at the numbers Joe Milton and Hendon Hooker were able to post in this offense. Nico is more talented than both and has a chance to rewrite the record books in Knoxville. If he does, and Tennessee wins games because of it, Nico will garner plenty of Heisman love.

Fornelli also predicted that Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel will be named the coach of the year in 2024.

From CBS Sports: The way the coach of the year Awards works is it's never given to the coach of the best team. Instead, it goes to the coach of the team who exceeded expectations, and I expect Tennessee will do just that in 2024. Heupel's Vols always have prolific offenses, and this year he'll have his most talented QB yet. The Vols can win the SEC, and if they come close, Heupel will receive plenty of love.

If Iamaleava wins the Heisman, then it's probably a good bet that Heupel will receive heavy consideration to be the coach of the year. And vice versa -- if Heupel wins coach of the year honors, then Iamaleava will probably be in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

It might seem like a bold prediction to go with Iamaleava, who has just one career start for the Vols, as the Heisman winner in 2024. But there's no doubt the young quarterback has the talent. Plus he'll be playing in a scheme that puts up a lot of points. And Iamaleava has plenty of weapons at his disposal. If Tennessee's offense can return to the level that we saw it at in 2022, then Iamaleava will absolutely be a threat to win the Heisman this season.

Related: Former Sooners QB Jason White offers strong comments on Josh Heupel's time at Oklahoma and Heupel's exit from Norman