It’s hard to blame him, though.
No one’s really been close on their first try this season and that certainly includes a few seasoned broadcasters.
Tennessee’s phonetic pronunciation of Iamaleava on their official team website reads “ee-ah-MAY-LAY-ah-va” but there have been plenty of accidental alterations throughout the season so far.
Sam Pittman can be added to that long list, too.
While discussing the Razorbacks’ upcoming game against Tennessee this weekend, Pittman tried his hand at pronouncing Nico’s last name:
“I think it’s eh-ah-MAH-LA-LAY-ah-la,” Pittman said answering the question as he had some fun with his own butchering of the name.
Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman pronouncing Nico Iamaleava’s name. #Vols pic.twitter.com/dM74tYnrg8
— Reece Van Haaften (@Reece_VH) September 30, 2024
More from RTI: Tennessee Set to Face Two Former Vols Against Arkansas
By the end of the 2024 season or certainly the start of the 2025 season, Iamaleava’s name should be much more concrete in college football watcher’s heads. Still, though, it’s not an easy one to get right away.
But while Iamaleava’s name might be hard for some to say, his statistics and early-season accomplishments are in a universal language. Iamaleava has been terrific for Tennessee through four games this season as the Vols head into the Arkansas game with the No. 4 ranking and a 4-0 undefeated record.
The redshirt freshman quarterback has tallied 892 yards and seven passing touchdowns in his first four games with a rushing touchdown to add in as well. Iamaleava hasn’t necessarily had a game against quality competition in which Tennessee has called upon his arm to be the difference maker in the contest, but he has shown the impressive ability to run Josh Heupel’s up-tempo offense (including multiple personnel looks) like a multi-year veteran in all four games.
Iamaleava threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns against Chattanooga in the season opener, which was a Tennessee program record for most passing yards in a single half in program history. The 20-year-old quarterback followed that up with nearly 70 percent passing against NC State, a 71-0 victory against Kent State, and the Vols’ first road Top 15 win in 18 years against Oklahoma.
Arkansas will host No. 4 Tennessee at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night in Razorback Stadium.
Check out Sam Pittman’s full press conference below.
