It appears as though at least one member of the national media sees very big things for Tennessee Vols QB Nico Iamaleava in 2024.
CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli listed the Vols as one of the six teams that fans should be looking to adopt in 2024 . Of course, that goes more to the casual fan, given the ferocity of loyalties in college athletics.
Fornelli listed his main reason that fans looking for a horse to hitch their wagons to should consider the Vols: Nico Iamaleava. Fornelli had the following to say about the Vols and Iamaleava:
"No offense to Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, but while the first three teams on this list are about my affection for new coaches at new places, Heupel has nothing to do with my love for the Vols in 2024. No, there's only one man responsible for it, and I can't wait to watch him light the world on fire.
I'm talking about Nico Iamaleava.
Iamaleava appeared in only five games as a freshman last season and threw only 45 passes, but I've watched every single snap he took -- even the UTSA game, where he went 0 for 2 passing and took a four-yard loss on a sack. Everything I have seen from Nico and everything I've been told from scouts who have watched him for years leads me to believe this kid has a very high ceiling.
When you combine his skill set with the offense he'll be playing in, I am not kidding when I say I believe Iamaleava is a legitimate Heisman candidate in 2024. He can take Tennessee from "CFP at-large hopeful" to "possible SEC champion."
In a season where we don't have the no-doubt superstar quarterback, Nico could be the guy. Scratch that; Nico will be the guy. "
That's an awfully strong statement to say about a player who has one start under his belt. However, there's a lot there to have faith in. There aren't many players with the skillset of Iamaleava. Or with his maturity that appears to be beyond his age. He will also be throwing to a talented and deep wide receiver room . Tackles Lance Heard and John Campbell, Jr. should provide solid protection on the edges.
And there isn't a Caleb Williams out there right now, or at least on the surface there doesn't appear to be that type of player that's head and shoulders above the rest. There are plenty of good quarterbacks across the country. Carson Beck at Georgia and Jalen Milroe at Alabama certainly are strong players.
However, Iamaleava could end up being the one who is talked about the most when the season is over. At least that's what one writer is saying that fans should believe will happen, and Tennessee fans would be over the moon if it did.
Related: The cat might have been out of the bag for new Vols football commit David Sanders, Jr. with the presence of a legendary Tennessee athlete
Local News
