Josh Heupel explains point of emphasis for Nico Iamaleava during spring game

The Nico Iamaleava era in Knoxville is in full swing, and fans are able to get a sneak peek on what to expect this coming season thanks to Tennessee‘s spring game on Saturday.

High expectations surround Iamaleava as Saturday’s showcase gets underway from inside Neyland Stadium. Vols head coach Josh Heupel explained what he’s looking for in his new QB1’s performance during the scrimmage.

“Obviously the opportunity starting in the bowl game — great experience for him,” Heupel said on the field Saturday. “[He’s] playing really well and [today is] an opportunity to grow and learn in some areas that he’s going to continue to improve upon. Love what he’s done all offseason, been phenomenal all spring and has an opportunity today for continued growth to become the player we need him to be.”

Iamaleava received the first start of his career against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl in January after former QB1 Joe Milton — who is on hand to watch Saturday’s spring game — opted out of the game to focus on the 2024 NFL Draft. The Vols defeated the Hawkeyes 35-0 having scored three rushing touchdowns on 15 attempts while going 12-of-19 passing to go with one touchdown pass and no interceptions. He finished his true freshman season with 31 completions for 314 yards and two touchdowns.

An interesting note to make is the fact that Heupel is not calling any plays for the Vols during the spring game like he would on Saturdays during the season. Instead, he’s taking a step back to evaluate his team, which includes Iamaleava and other stars.

While Iamaleava’s reps will be limited in the spirit of getting every quarterback on the roster a chance to take the field, the snaps he’ll take on Saturday are what fans will take with them heading into the summer and then into fall. With such a small sample size of him available, many Vol fans are curious to see how their new signal caller will fare with all eyes on him once again.

However, Iamaleava’s top two wide receivers, Bru McCoy and Squirrel White, were not available to participate in the spring showcase.

After Saturday’s spring game is through, the next chance Vol fans will be able to see the new Tennessee quarterback in action when the Vols host in-state foe Chattanooga inside Neyland Stadium during Week 1 on Aug. 31. After a few non-conference matchups, the Vols will begin SEC play on the road against new SEC foe Oklahoma on Sept. 21.