If all goes according to plan for Tennessee, quarterback Nico Iamaleava and tight end Ethan Davis could be big-time playmakers for the Vols down the road.
While Iamaleava will likely have to wait a bit longer for his role on the field behind veteran QB Joe Milton, Davis is an uber-athletic tight end that could wind up competing for playing time despite just being a freshman.
Both Iamaleava and Davis ended the 2023 recruiting cycle as two of Tennessee’s four highest-ranked offensive signees. As two of the earlier commits in the class, Davis in Dec. 2021 and Iamaleava in Mar. 2022, both players have had time to get to know each other well.
Davis spoke to the media on Thursday in Knoxville about his relationship with Iamaleava.
“Nico’s my guy, like, for real, for real,” Davis said. “I’ve known Nico for a good amount – we met during 7-on-7 out in California and from there we’ve always kept contact, kept communication. When he committed, obviously I was definitely excited because we got the quarterback that we wanted. I already knew that we were going to make plays together, we were already going to have that connection and that team chemistry together, to go out there and do what we know both of us can do.”
Tennessee TE Ethan Davis and QB Nico Iamaleava have a connection and a friendship that could be massive for the Vols down the road. @rockytopinsider
"I already knew that we were going to make plays together and have that connection" pic.twitter.com/dOUGTREzNp
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) August 3, 2023
More from RTI: How Tennessee’s 11-Win Season Immediately Helped the Vols on the Recruiting Trail
Before exiting the game with an injury, Davis caught an incredible pass from Iamaleava for a great play during Tennessee’s Orange & White game this past spring.
Iamaleava felt pressure coming from the left side so he left the pocket out to his right. Throwing the ball from the defense’s 35-yard line on the run, Iamaleava’s pinpoint pass hit Davis over the shoulder and on the sideline on the offense’s 35-yard line for a perfect throw and catch. There was no other spot where Iamaleava could have put that ball for it to be caught by Davis.
Davis recalled the play from memory and gave some insight into being on the receiving end of a Nico Iamaleava scramble play.
“So we got the play and I ran the route,” Davis said. “When I was running I saw Nico start scrambling, and then Nico just pointed up. And I already knew I trust Nico, I trust everything he does, I trust everything he knows. So once he pointed up I just turned upfield because it was scramble drills, so I just turned upfield, threw it to me, had to make the play. Made the play.”
When asked if Iamaleava’s awareness and skill outside the pocket was a normal thing to see, Davis had an easy answer.
“Yeah. He’s a high-level quarterback.”
To see more of quarterback Nico Iamaleava in action, check out some of Rocky Top Insider’s Day 2 practice highlights from Thursday in Knoxville here.
