Bru McCoy compares traits of Joe Milton, Nico Iamaleava at quarterback

As Tennessee gets set to head into the 2024 season, the fourth under coach Josh Heupel, it’ll do so needing to break in a new quarterback. Redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava will take over for departing starter Joe Milton.

His pass-catchers are excited to work with him. Iamaleava is a former top recruit, the No. 6 overall player in the nation in the 2023 recruiting class.

Wideout Bru McCoy has had a chance to watch Iamaleava up close and personal and he’s impressed.

“I would say — I mean I can say, I haven’t played with Nico yet. From watching Nico, he’s really good on his feet,” McCoy said at the team’s Pro Day on Wednesday on the SEC Network. “He’s really good at extending plays. Obviously doesn’t have the same arm strength as Joe, but I think where Nico kind of makes up for that is his ability to run. Not that Joe couldn’t run.”

Iamaleava proved that in the team’s bowl game, rushing for three touchdowns against Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. He also threw for 151 yards and a score.

That’s got everyone at Tennessee hyped up going into the offseason.

It’s not that Milton was a bad quarterback, not by any means. He had a rocket for an arm and his veteran leadership helped Tennessee win nine games last fall. But Iamaleava offers some serious upside, too.

“I would say there’s a lot more similarities than differences,” McCoy said. “But ultimately, both of them are studs. And I think I’m blessed as a receiver to get the chance to play with both of them.”

Josh Heupel discusses Nico Iamaleava’s bowl experience

That last game of the year was absolutely vital for Tennessee. Milton opted out of the bowl game, paving the way for Iamaleava to get his first career start.

It went quite well. Heupel praised his young gunslinger.

“I think it’s a great kickoff for any of the young guys, but certain a young quarterback,” Heupel said. “The urgency in your preparation. And he was really good in the backup role throughout the course of the season. But those two weeks where he knew he was going to be the guy, him preparing like a starter, having to feel that going into the game, knowing it’s your game. Played really well.”

Heupel noted that Iamaleava has picked up in spring football right where he left off.

“There’s a lot of things that he learned from that experience,” Heupel said. “I think it accelerates the urgency in the preparation in the offseason, too. Since he got back in January with everybody else, he’s been the consummate pro. Inside of the building, he’s been in here all day, everyday. And he’s been really good through the first six practices.”