Nico Iamaleava had quite the first start of his college career in Tennessee football’s Citrus Bowl win over No. 17 Iowa on Monday afternoon.
The true freshman quarterback completed 12-of-19 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 27 yards (despite taking seven sacks) and three rushing touchdowns. The four-touchdown and efficient passing performance earned Iamaleava Citrus Bowl MVP honors.
And people out of Tennessee took notice. FanDuel Sportsbook released its inaugural Heisman Trophy odds for the 2024 season on Thursday with Nico Iamaleava opening as +1800 win to college football’s most prestigious individual award.
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Iamaleava is tied for having the fifth best odds nationally to win the award. Texas Quinn Ewers, Georgia’s Carson Beck and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe are co-favorites to win the award coming in at +800. Oregon’s Dillion Gabriel has the fourth best odds to win the Heisman at +1000.
The Vols’ redshirt freshman quarterback is tied for the fifth best odds with Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold and Texas A&M’s Conner Weigman.
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|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Bet $5, Get $158 in bonus bets | Claim Bonus — Use Code ROCKYBET |
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Iamaleava arrived in Knoxville as one of the most highly touted prep prospects in program history, ranking as the No. 3 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings.
The Downey, California native spent his first season at Tennessee as Joe Milton III’s backup, securing a redshirt by playing in four regular season games and then starting the bowl game.
Iamaleava completed 28-of-45 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 71 yards and three touchdowns.
Tennessee opens up Josh Heupel’s fourth season in Knoxville against instate foe Chattanooga on Saturday Aug. 31 at Neyland Stadium.
