Nico Iamaleava wants 5-star WR Carnell Tate at Tennessee

Since committing to Tennessee, five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava has embraced his role as the face of the recruiting class.

That has included serving as a de-facto recruiter for the Volunteers with Iamaleava targeting prospects from across the country and on both sides of the football.

But there is no one he has been publicly pitching more than IMG Academy five-star wide receiver Carnell Tate.

“I want Carnell to join me at Tennessee pretty bad,” Iamaleava told On3. “He is an elite athlete, he is a great receiver, and he can do it all. Having some guys like him around me would make my job easier. I would love to have him.”

Tate and Iamaleava are both in Las Vegas this weekend for the OT7 tournament but playing on different teams.

Iamaleava said the two players communicate a lot and have been building a good relationship. Their discussions go beyond football, although the two do talk plenty of about the sport.

“When I am recruiting Carnell, I pitch him the staff at Tennessee, the offense, and how it will be great for any quarterback and wide receiver,” Iamaleava said. “When we talk, it is more about us vibing and connecting, but I do pitch Tennessee some for sure. Look at what the receivers at Tennessee did last season, so he would have a great opportunity there.”

Tate is the No. 2 wide receiver and No. 15 overall recruit in the 2023 On3 Consensus.

“What separates Carnell from everyone is his size and how he can do it all,” Iamaleava said. “He can run every route on the route tree. He has that size. The speed is there. He has very strong hands, he catches everything, he can just do what top receivers do. I have never had that type of bigger receiver to work with like him, so it would be great to work with him.”

The Volunteers are building a great recruiting class in the 2023 cycle, and surrounding Iamaleava with top talent is imperative. Suwanee Collins Hill four-star tight end and top-100 prospect Ethan Davis has already pledged to the school, but Tate would be a huge coup.

“Me and Carnell could be a dangerous duo at Tennessee,” Iamaleava said. “If he decides to come, there will be national fireworks in that offense.”

Tate is down to four schools — LSU, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Tennessee — and told On3 yesterday he will announce his decision within the next few weeks.

Tate said after he finishes up at OT7, he will make go home and make a commitment video.

“He hasn’t told me where he is going or where he is leaning, so we are all waiting,” Iamaleava said. “My feeling is it is down to us and Ohio State. That is who I think it comes down to. Ohio State is another great program that has a real shot, so we will have to wait and see.”

Iamaleava’s thinking aligns with the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, which gives Tennessee a 60.3% chance and Ohio State a 31.1% chance.

Whether Tate joins him in Knoxville, Tenn., or somewhere else, Iamaleava will be rooting for him.

“If he chooses to go somewhere else, I would wish him the same luck as if he came to Tennessee, so I want the best for him,” Iamaleava said. “But I would love to have him with me at Tennessee.