Josh Heupel says Nico Iamaleava did 'a lot of really good things' in scrimmage

Tennessee spent Saturday at Neyland Stadium for their first scrimmage of the spring, and head coach Josh Heupel was able to see five-star freshman QB Nico Iamaleava in live action for the first time.

“Nico did a lot of really good things. Having his eyes in the right place, being able to make decisive reads, move in the pocket, push the ball down the field, and be accurate in the middle of the field,” Hepuel said Saturday. “I thought for his first time being inside the stadium, did a really nice job of controlling everything that happens when you’re playing within the tempo of how we play.

“I didn’t think he played outside of himself. He never was in a hurry. So a lot of really positive things.”

Heupel said it helpes learning the pace of his offense when you have experience around you. Some veterans that are heading into their second or third year in Heupel’s system lent a helping hand toward the incoming freshman during Saturday’s scrimmage while he was running with the one’s and two’s.

Overall, Heupel was pleased with what he saw out of his blue-chip QB for it being his first time in a game-like situation at Tennessee. Iamaleava went out and marched his team into the end zone on the first drive, but has some work to do with his command and control — but those are things he can be taught, Heupel said.

Still, QB Joe Milton, who Iamaleava will be competing for the starting spot with this offseason, was in command of Tennessee’s offense while leading his group.

“Joe did a really good job of taking care of the football. I thought he slid in the pocket, probably a couple times, and continued to get out of it,” Heupel said. “It’s a little bit different when the quarterback is not live in some of these situations. All in all, had really good command of what’s going on.”

After being forced into a starting role following Hendon Hooker‘s torn ACL, Milton helped lead the Vols to a 31-14 win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl. He completed 19 of his 28 attempts (67.9 percent) for 251 yards and three touchdowns.

Milton has five years of college experience compared to Iamaleava’s none, but Iamaleava is the highest-rated quarterback recruit to commit to Tennessee since Peyton Manning — and he has been tagged with expecations to have just as impressive of a career.