While Tennessee will be introducing a new starting quarterback in 2024, it’s not a new face in the program. It’s not a player from the transfer portal or a highly-touted freshman gunslinger.
With a win in the Citrus Bowl under his belt, former five-star prospect and current rising sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava will have full command of the Tennessee offense in 2024.
Iamaleava spent his freshman season under the tutelage of quarterback Joe Milton, a six-year player in the college football world. Iamaleava received praise for his workmanship and effort throughout his first season in Knoxville and routinely spoke about how he was preparing each week as the starting quarterback despite being the backup.
The Tennessee quarterback relayed a similar sentiment on Monday afternoon when asked what parts of his routine have changed now that he is the starter and not the backup.
“I won’t say it necessarily feels different,” Iamaleava said about what has changed for him over the offseason. “I think now just knowing I’m the starter, a lot of guys depend on me. A lot of guys depend on me, but I think I get the job done. So really just like I said, approaching every day with the same mindset.”
In addition to the talented pieces that Tennessee has from a skill perspective, the biggest advantage that Iamaleava has going into his first starting season is the skill level and the continuity of the offensive line.
The Vols project to have four returning linemen from the previous roster and have added former All-SEC Freshman Team offensive tackle Lance Heard from LSU. One of those returning players, John Campbell Jr., is excited about what’s to come with his quarterback.
“Nico is a baller, man,” Campbell Jr. said during a press conference on Monday. “That’s my boy. When he was a young guy, he was a baller. Now he’s growing and he’s still a baller. Everything he’s doing, he’s doing it fast. He’s doing it great. He’s making great decisions. I just love Nico and he’s a great leader.”
More from RTI: Nico Iamaleava, Lance Heard Talk With the Media During Spring Camp
After showing up on campus as a freshman at 190 pounds, Iamaleava has put on nearly 25 pounds to date. The rising sophomore looks bigger on the field, both with and without pads on.
With a bigger frame and more responsibility on his shoulders as the starting quarterback, Iamaleava will need to welcome the leadership aspect to his repertoire. And welcoming that challenge looks to be exactly what Iamaleava is doing while still being true to himself.
“I’ve been trying to work on being more vocal for the guys, speaking out when I need to,” Iamaleava said on Monday. “But I think just putting myself out there, hanging out with the guys and you know, just making sure we’re getting to them, getting our business done. But yeah, I think I’m just going more on, I’d say that the vocal aspect of it just being louder for the guys is what I’ve really been trying to work on.”
Tennessee, Iamaleava, and Campbell Jr. will continue spring camp workouts with the Vols throughout the month, leading to the 2024 Orange & White game on April 13 from Neyland Stadium.
