Nico Iamaleava steps up to lead Volunteers high-powered offense

Quarterback is a make-or-break position for any program. While highly touted quarterbacks sometimes fail to meet expectations, others take the opportunity to lead and the team succeeds. Nico Iamaleava is proving to be the type of quarterback who takes and welcomes the opportunity to lead.

Who is Nico?

As a five-star recruit, the expectations are set high. As the number two quarterback in the draft class and the top-ranked player from the state of California, Iamaleava's expectations soared.

The 6'6" signal caller from Downey, California has a unique blend of athletic ability and football instincts. During his time in high school, it became evident that he was also a natural team leader.

He's got the ability to make throws to every area of the field and can throw well when he is on the run.

With the added dimension of being a mobile quarterback and a dual-threat, he can extend and make plays as needed and while he's being creative, he can also change his arm angle to further keep defenses on their toes. The added dimension of his running as well as his fearlessness to make the throw from the pocket despite the pocket collapsing around him and taking the hit speak volumes to a maturity level beyond his young age.

Welcome to Volunteer Country

In his redshirt freshman season a year ago, he played a limited amount completing 28 of 45 attempts for 314 yards. With the bulk of his work coming in relief of last year's starter, Joe Milton. He was named starter for the Vols in the Cheez-It Bowl victory when he threw for 151 yards and a touchdown.

This season, Iamaleava has picked up right where he left off increasing his average to 11 yards per pass. He's also completed 79 percent of his passes. He's got the arm strength to make a variety of throws and has a great grasp of the offensive system that head coach Josh Heupel has installed in Knoxville.

Next up is a clash with the NC State Wolfpack in Charlotte as the two teams meet for the first time as ranked opponents. With a date in two weeks against the Oklahoma Sooners, keeping the offense running well is where Iamaleava is focused as they get ready for conference play in the SEC.

What to expect for the Volunteers in 2024

With the expanded playoff system, the Volunteers entered the season with expectations to be one of the teams in the playoff system.

In the early part of the season, the team has lived up to those expectations, ranked 10th in the country (as of this writing) at 1-0, they have the battle against the Wolfpack of NC State and then begin the slate of conference games.

With games looming against the Sooners (9/21), the Crimson Tide (10/19), and the big dawgs of the SEC in a late-season road trip to Athens the challenges are there for Iamaleava. With the poise and leadership he has already shown, they will meet the challenges and be a battle moving forward in the college football season.