Keenan Pili analyzes the best attributes of Nico Iamaleava

Everyone on Rocky Top expects great things out of first-year starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava during his career at Tennessee.

According to Vols linebacker Keenan Pili, who lines up against Iamaleava every day at practice, he’s seen first-hand how talented the former five-star recruit was in high school. Pili believes he’s proven to be a bit of a locker room leader heading into his second year with the program.

“I think we all know Nico. He’s very talented,” Pili said at SEC Media Days. “The physical part is pretty easy to see when you see Nico play. One thing I’ve seen from Nico over this offseason is really his mental side of the game and his growth as a player.

“He’s really found a way to get some respect in the locker room, just his humility has drawn a lot of people to want him to lead, and I think that’s kind of been one of his greatest attributes so far and the way he leads us is through that.”

While the former blue-chip prospect didn’t see the field much during his first season in Knoxville, he made the most of his limited opportunities backing up former QB Joe Milton.

Iamaleava went on to receive the first start of his career against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl after Milton opted out of the game, ultimately defeating 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, leading many to become optimistic about his future and the success that may come with it.

Fans were given a preview of Iamaleava’s passing skills during April’s spring game, completing his first seven of his passes for 93 yards and a touchdown during his time on the field. He capped the first half of action for his squad with a 27-yard strike to Chas Nimrod in the end zone. Iamaleava didn’t play much after the first half, and finished the gae 7 of 9 for 96 yards and the lone touchdown to Nimrod.

There’s a lot to be excited about offensively for Josh Heupel’s group heading into 2024. Behind Pili and Iamaleava’s kead, Tennessee kick things off against in-state foe Chattanooga before travelling to Charlotte to play NC State inside Bank of America stadium in Wek 2.