Vols QB Nico Iamaleava has chance to accomplish something that only Peyton Manning has previously achieved at Tennessee

Tennessee Vols redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava has the chance to accomplish something in 2024 that only Peyton Manning has previously achieved on Rocky Top.

Iamaleava was named on Monday to the Maxwell Award watch list.

The Maxwell Award, which is presented by the Maxwell Football Club, is given annually to the player that's judged to be the best all around player in college football.

Manning is the only Tennessee player that's ever won the award, winning it in 1997 (the same year he controversially lost the Heisman Trophy race to Michigan's Charles Woodson).

Former Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker was a finalist for the award in 2022 (USC quarterback Caleb Williams won the award in 2022).

According to a release from UTSports.com , the semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 12. The three finalists for the award will then be announced on November 26. The winner will be revealed on December 12 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.

This is the only preseason honor, so far, for Iamaleava.

Related: Why the national media is all of a sudden taking notice of the Tennessee Vols