Joe Evans shares challenges presented by Nico Iamaleava

Iowa had one of the best defenses in college football in 2023, but the Hawkeyes had their hands full with Tennessee freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Iamaleava accounted for four touchdowns, as the Volunteers earned a 35-0 win.

After the game, Iowa All-Big Ten linebacker Joe Evans was asked about Nico Iamaleava and what kind of challenges he presented.

“He definitely presented a lot of challenges,” Evans said. “When you have to defend two facets – whether it be the passing game or the running game, it’s definitely a lot tougher.”

Iamaleava completed 12 of 19 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown against Iowa and also rushed 15 times for 27 yards and three scores.

He did not have a turnover in what was the first start of his career.

“He’s a very mobile guy and you were able to see that. I mean hats off to them, hats off to their team. They played really well,” Evans said.

Nico Iamaleava was rated as the No. 1 overall player in the country in the class of 2023, according to the On3 rankings. He arrived in Knoxville with sky high expectations and appears ready to live up to them based off of his performance in the Cheez-It Bowl. Tennessee will enter the 2024 season as a contender in the SEC and Iamaleava is a big reason why.

Nico Iamaleava shares excitement for future at Tennessee

In Tennessee‘s Citrus Bowl win over Iowa, the Volunteers were without starting quarterback Joe Milton. In his place, freshman Nico Iamaleava got his first career start, flashing a bit of the future at the position for Tennessee.

After the game, Iamaleava shared that it’s not just fans who are excited for the future, he is too.

“I’m really excited, man,” Nico Iamaleava said. “We built a great team around us, a great coaching staff, and I really think the sky’s the limit for this team. It’s on us to go out there and get it done.”

Tennessee dominated Iowa, winning the game 35-0. Iamaleava was a huge part of that, showing off his potential throughout the game.

A five-star recruit in the Class of 2023, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, Iamaleava was the sixth-ranked player nationally in that class.

“It felt great, man,” Iamaleava said. “Finally to play a whole game. I haven’t done that in a while, so it felt good to get back out there and get my feet wet.”