Everything quarterback Nico Iamaleava said following Vols third spring workout

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava met with members of the media following the Vols third spring practice on Wednesday morning. The following is a written transcript of the Nico Iamaleava press conference.

On working with Mike Matthews in the offseason…

“I spent a lot of time with him. He came out to Cali [California] and trained with me a little bit, so got to get some extra reps with him out there. Really just, we got a new scheme in and just him dialing into the new scheme. Yeah, man, just us building that rapport.”

On relationship and the growth from QB Jake Merklinger…

“Yeah, man, Jake has grown tremendously, man. Really, my brother, man. I love Jake, man, and he pushes me every day, man. Overall, him as a player, he’s improved just with the offense, getting the offense down and just him being comfortable out there. I think he’s improved a lot.”

On becoming a more vocal leader…

“Yeah, I think just for me, getting out in front of the whole team, really. I got comfortable with speaking to my individual position groups and, you know, the offense. I think when it just comes to letting the whole offense and defense and the whole team hear, hear your voice, I think that’s been the biggest thing for me. Just stepping out my shell, man. You know, I wasn’t very comfortable speaking in front of large crowds and stuff like that, but I’ve taken that next step and that’s something I’m continuing to work on.”

On pushing the wide receivers…

“I’ve taken that leadership role and trying to lead the young guys in the receiver room. We got a lot of young guys in there and. Obviously Chris Brazzell is taking that next step and taking lead to that receiver room. I asked him to watch over those young guys and make sure they’re ready to go when their number gets called. So, I think just, collectively us as a whole, us doing it together has been a big part for us this spring.”

On getting advice from former Vols about taking a step to become a leader…

“Always told me to be myself, man. They know I’m not the loudest. They know I’m not the rah-rah guy to everybody. But at the same time, I need to be in certain instances. Yeah man, they just told me always be myself, man. You don’t got to be nobody else. Don’t change yourself to try and portray this image of a good leader. Just to be myself and I feel like I’ve been doing a good job with that.

On how it is time to take a step in being the leader of the team…

“Yeah, sure. I think last year was really for me the time to go. Me just taking that starting role. Me being loud last year, I think I obviously just had a lot of support with the vets and Coop [Cooper mays] and those guys. But yeah, man, this year has been a challenge for me to take that next big step. I got some help from guys like Miles [Kitselman, Ethan Davis and our whole leadership council.”

On what he addressed in practice today [Joey Halzle reference from Wednesday practice]…

“I think I’d rather not discuss what we did as a team. You know, what happens out there, stays out there on the field.”

On takeaway from last season and what his next step is as a QB…

“I’d really say, just comfortability. When I’m going out there for each game, I think my preparation has to take a next step. Yeah man, I think just overall, just me being a player and me playing at the top of my game. I have to do a better job at that every game this year.”

On if last year was harder than expected or as inconsistent as expected…

“I think just as a whole, there are several games where I think, as a whole, we didn’t play at our – at our full potential. I think it all starts in the offseason and just building rapport with the guys and holding guys accountable. Just building that trust with the guys. I think it all starts now.”

On the part of his game that he is most confident in…

“For me, I think it’s just me knowing the offense well and just playing fast. I think just the more you get comfortable in the offense, it allows you to play free. I think that’s where I’m at right now.”

On if he called Mike Matthews to come out and train in California with him this offseason…

“I told Mike, yeah. I told Mike to come out to Cali. Chris [Brazzell] was supposed to come out, but he couldn’t make it. But yeah, I told Mike to come out to Cali.”

On if he believes he [Mike Matthews] can be a No. 1, go-to wide receiver…

“For sure, yeah. I think Mike and Chris [Brazzell] and Braylon Staley – I think all three of those guys got the opportunity to be number one.”

On where he is weight wise and where he wants to be…

“Weight-wise, I’m at two 220 right now. I want to get up to 225-230, just to be able to endure some of those hits, Yeah, I think I’m at a good spot right now.”

On where he finished last season wight wise…

“Last season, I was playing at around 215.”

On not leaving a lot of yards, points off the scoreboard moving forward…

“I think just timing with our receivers, man. A lot of miscues out there that happened last season and I think that was just us not being on the same page. So, I think the more reps we’re getting and practice and just keep practicing so in the game time it’s easy.”

On if the Cali workout trip helped him and Mike Matthews get on the same page…

“Yeah, it’s been great, man. Shoot, I think it definitely strengthened our bond, just him coming over to my house and Cali – just seeing what it’s like in California. It just strengthened our bond. Mike has got a lot of potential and I can’t wait to see him go out there and execute.”

On if he knew Wendell Moe Jr. while at Long Beach…

“Yeah, I knew Moe. I went to high school [with] Moe when he was a senior. I was a freshman, no, when he was a junior I was a freshman. Then, I ended up transferring out that after my freshman year. So, I never really got to play with Moe. So, I always knew Moe and his whole family in high school and it’s crazy how it spins full circle and now we’re on the same team.”

On what he knows about Wendell Moe. Jr…

“I always knew Moe was a dog, man. He a dog and he going to hit somebody. So, I’m glad we got him on our team. Yeah, I can’t wait to see him work through.”

On getting to know and see Amri Jefferson this week…

“It has been great, man. He’s only been out with us, you know, just catching balls so far. He is still coming back from a little bit injuries and stuff, but yeah man, it’s been great to have Amari.”

On life with a new center, one not named Cooper Mays…

“Cooper was one of the best to do it, man. So yeah, Satt [William Satterwhite] has taken on that role. I can’t wait to see Satt play, man. I think he’s been a great piece for us – even last year just coming as a freshman and taking a lot of reps and practice. So, I’ve always had a good rapport with Satt.”

On if a new center puts more pressure on him to communicate more…

“I would. Obviously, Satt knows his stuff and I’m not going to take anything away from Satt. But yeah, I try make sure protections are right and make sure we’re in the right position to execute the play for sure.”

On how Mike Matthews is improving…

“I think his ball skills, man. He has great ball skills and just him being out there more. Last year and in spring ball he was still coming back off of hamstring injury and stuff like that, so I didn’t really get to get as many reps as I wanted. This year, Mike has taken that big step as showing up as a pro every day and coming to work.”

On Boo Carter playing some wide receiver…

“Yeah, man. He’s primarily a DB but yeah, I love seeing Boo on offense, the little chances we do. I love seeing that man go to work.”

On if Bo Carter is ‘chirping’ on the field…

“Oh yeah. Boo talk[s] a lot, man. Boo talk[s] a lot, man. We used to play tournaments in high school together, man. Boo. always gonna talk for sure.”

On if he likes having that at wide receiver..

“It’s great, man. I think he rubs off on a lot of our guys because, I wouldn’t say a lot of our guys were big talkers. So, when he comes over he kind of probably brings that energy a little bit. So yeah, it was great having Boo at those tournaments.”

On his thoughts of Travis Smith…

“Yeah, Travis Smith. Man, that’s a big dude right there, man. And he can run for sure. You seen him out there today? Make a couple plays. Yeah, I mean, he’s a young guy and you know when his number gets called, I think you’ll be ready for sure.”