Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava met with the local media on Thursday afternoon for the final time before the Vols open up their 2024 season against Chattanooga.
Iamaleava discussed his relationship with Bru McCoy, his growth during fall camp and much more. Here’s everything Iamaleava said on Thursday.
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On Bru McCoy acting as a mentor for him and helping bring him along since he got to Tennessee
“He’s brought me along a long way man. Just learning from Bru how to carry yourself on and off the field, I feel like I learned a great amount. And yeah, me and Bru have always had a tight relationship, so I can’t wait to go out there and, you know, play with him on the field.”
On what he thought of Bru McCoy growing up in California, watching him play in high school
“When I was younger, man, I thought Bru was the greatest high school player of all the time. The first guy I had ever seen play receiver and D-end at the same time. So seeing him come off the edge and have five sets and then go score three touchdowns right after was crazy for me to watch. And yeah, Bru always been the top player of mine.”
On how he feels about Tennessee’s group of receivers, his trust level with those guys exiting camp
“Yeah, man, I’ve been able to get reps with our whole receiver room. I feel like that whole receiver room can go. We got a lot of pieces that gel well. Can’t wait to go out there and show what we’ve been working on.”
On his chemistry with Tennessee’s offensive line, with center Cooper Mays
”Me and Coop, we talk every day. I’ve gotten into a lot of protection stuff, so sliding protection where I want to slide it. And if Coop doesn’t like that certain slide, he’ll let me know why. And we’ll watch the film together. So I feel like me and Coop have created a good relationship on that part. I’ve got a great relationship with the whole line, man. I think we got one of the top of lines when we’re healthy, so I feel like we’re gelling.”
On signing the endorsement deal with Beats by Dre, giving headphones to his teammates
“Most definitely. I go to work every day with these guys and I feel like just giving back to them guys and show my appreciation to them. And that’s just one gift right there, man. We’re working towards something totally bigger. And yeah, it felt good to give back.”
On adjusting to and preparing for Tennessee’s tempo on offense
“I feel like I’ve got a great grasp of it over the fall and spring. I think the tempo part, we use that as a weapon and you know, every day we’re working on pushing our tempo.”
On if there are people he’s talked to about the challenges of being the quarterback at Tennessee
“Really only Joe and Hendon, man. Those really (are) the two guys I pretty much talked to. Going into college and I talked to Bryce (Young) and CJ (Stroud). What it takes to play at this level. So really Joe and Hendon as of recently have been the two guys that mentored me.”
On the in-helmet communication
“I think it’s great, man. We got a mixture of my keys and the play call. So I think adding the mic in the helmet was great for us.”
On what it’s been like developing a connection with Bru (McCoy) while he works back from injury
“It’s been great, man. Bru’s one of the hardest workers I know. So I see him every day go out there and work and put his head down, man. It makes me want to go out there and work even harder. So it’s definitely exciting to see him get back into his own man. I feel like you know that (number) five on him, take him back to his high high school days, so hopefully we’ll get to show you me and Bru’s connection.”
On if having a veteran offensive line is an advantage
“Definitely. We got a lot of young guys in the oline room but mixed with veterans and I think having the veterans in the room is not only going to help us now, but even for the long future, getting the younger guys up to speed with the offense. So it’s been great.”
On what’s different about Dont’e Thornton this season
“ I feel like he’s more confident in the offense, got him (last year) outside and inside, so I feel like it’s just more comfortable being in the offense, getting that first year under his built. Just like me getting that first year under my belt. It takes some time to get this offense really down. So I feel like Dont’e’s looked great in the fall, in the spring. He had a great fall camp and can’t wait to watch him go out there and work.”
On representing his Polynesian culture, being teammates with Jaxson Moi and Keenan Pili
“It feels great. I think Jaxson coming in with me and Keenan. ,e and Keenan being the only Polynesians here so just adding another one, there’s three of us now. So it feels great. Jaxson was a great piece to add for us. I feel like he gells well with everybody in the locker room and he’s definitely my guy.”
On what he likes about this tight end room
“We got a good, good tight room, man. All three of them can go so I’m excited, man. They’re big bodies, big targets that I love throwing to, especially down in redzone. Being able to use all three of them in packages if we have to, I feel like them being on the field down in the red zone will be big for us.”
