Former Georgia Bulldogs QB makes a very confident statement about Nico Iamaleava and the Vols on Sunday

It didn't really matter that the Vols were facing Chattanooga, at least to one individual.

While some fans and pundits have made various comments along the lines of, "well, Nico just put on a show against a crappy team," one former signal caller from one of the Tennessee Vols' bigger rivalries isn't saying that about Nico Iamaleava and UT following their 69-3 dismantling of the Mocs.

Former Georgia quarterback turned ESPN/SEC Network analyst Aaron Murray broke down some of Iamaleava's film on Sunday, and he had some very big things to say about the Vols and their new starting quarterback.

"The throws that this young man can make should scare the heck out of everyone in the SEC," Murray said. "If they can be this good all year, they can be a true contender all year, not just in the SEC, but I think a real playoff push.  Really, really impressed with him."

Murray, who threw for over 3000 yards in each of his four seasons as Georgia's starting QB (2010-13), broke down a number of different plays and throws that Nico made, but one in particular (at the 6:30 mark of the video) hit home why Iamaleava is on a different level than perhaps any quarterback to come to Knoxville in decades.  Murray broke down a dagger (deep crossing) route where Chris Brazzell II runs and cuts behind three linebackers and towards a small patch of open field in the middle.  Nico throws the ball in advance with anticipation, and Brazzell runs right to the spot and meets the football for a big gain.

"Three linebackers dropping about ten yards in depth...look at that," Murray said. "That's what he gets paid $2 million per year for right there. That is some sweet stuff right there, Nico.  That is some sweet, sweet stuff.  I don't care who you're playing. You can play a high school team, and NFL team.  That's talent right there. There's no denying.  That is elite talent throwing the football."

You can chalk that up to playing a FCS team if you so choose ( and no, Murray isn't saying Nico would be able to do that against an NFL team right now, so stop ).  I'm not going to try to fight that fight anymore with some folks.  However, what is undeniable - what Murray is pointing out - is that that's a throw into a tight space thrown with anticipation.  That's an invaluable skill in and of itself regardless of the level of football you're at.

It's what Hendon Hooker had in 2022 and what separated him from Joe Milton III last year.  It's what separates decent to good quarterbacks from the best ones.  It's what guys who succeed in the NFL all have.  Because in the league, you HAVE to throw with anticipation into areas tight areas.  Often times there's no other choice.

And to do it as a redshirt freshman in just his second start makes it even more head shaking.  So yes, while some might want to say it's "just" UTC, it was still one of many incredibly accurate throws that Iamaleava delivered in an impressive and record-setting first half .

If the night-and-day difference from the 2023 passing game against lesser competition ( which was flat-out painful to watch, in case some of you forgot ) isn't already enough to make you believe it, then perhaps the words from an SEC quarterback will help do the trick: Nico is already a very good quarterback.

Related: ESPN's Paul Finebaum makes a short but strong prediction about one of the Tennessee Vols' biggest games