Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava earned himself a spot on the Maxwell Award Watch List on Monday morning ahead of his highly-anticipated second season with the Volunteers.
The Maxwell Award, entering it’s 88th year, will be presented to the most outstanding college football player in the country at the conclusion of the season.
Iamaleava was one of 80 players named to the watch list on Monday morning joining 14 other SEC players including Alabama QB Jalen Milroe, Georgia RB Trevor Etienne, Missouri WR Luther Burden, Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, and Texas QB Quinn Ewers. Iamaleava is the only representative from the Vols’ program on the list with Ohio State leading all programs with three players.
Iamaleava is one of 41 quarterbacks on the watch list.
The California native enters his second season with the Tennessee program after only seeing one start during the season finale against Clemson in the Citrus Bowl. Iamaleava tallied 151 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and three rushing touchdowns in his debut as the starter. Prior to that game, Iamaleava had recorded 26 passing attempts in a backup role to Joe Milton III.
Iamaleava is the only player among the 80 athletes who is a redshirt freshman on the list. All other players are at least a sophomore in terms of athletic ability, according to UT Sports.
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The highly-touted No. 1 recruit from the 2023 cycle spent his freshman season as Tennessee’s backup, seeing action in four contests before the bowl game start. Iamaleava’s longest outing came against Vanderbilt completing 9-of-12 passes for 66 yards while he tallied 86 yards and one touchdown on 5-of-9 passing against UConn.
Tennessee struggled to find consistent passing in the bowl game behind a banged-up offensive line but it didn’t cause much reason for concern. Tennessee’s offense looked faster with Iamaleava than it did with Milton, leading to increased speculation that the Vols will get back to their nation-leading tempo this season. Iamaleava also showed a knack for using his legs during the game with three touchdowns and 27 yards on 15 carries. It wasn’t a star-making game, necessarily, but it did show the football world that Tennessee’s next quarterback was on the horizon.
Nico Iamaleava’s Maxwell Award Watch List selection is the Tennessee quarterback’s lone preseason award/honor at the time of this publication.
To see the full 2024-2025 Maxwell Award Watch List click here.
