Nice start for Nico Iamaleava, here are some of our favorite moments

Long before the 2024 season kicked off Tennessee fans were beside themselves with anticipation over Nico Iamaleava ascending into the starting quarterback role on a full-time basis. Through four games, Iamaleava hasn’t disappointed.

The nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2023 has looked the part in leading Tennessee to a 4-0 start.

Iamaleava has thrown for 892 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions while completing 69% of his passes.

The second year signal caller has had the luxury of leaning on a strong defense and a productive ground game to ease his transition into the role of full-time starter.

Josh Heupel hasn’t had to put a ton on Iamaleava’s shoulders yet, but when called upon, he’s shown the arm talent and the savvy to make the kind of throws that stamped him—in the eyes of many—as the top quarterback in his recruiting class.

There’s been a lot for Tennessee to get excited about in the early part of this season. The Vols have rocketed up the polls, all the way to the cusp of the top-five.

Tennessee is a now one of the favorites to make the college football playoff and recruiting is humming along.

Nothing though is pumping the excitement among Vol Nation like what Iamaleava has shown so far and what he might be capable of as he gets more experience.

This by no way an exhaustive, all-inclusive list, but here are six of our favorite Iamaleava moments thus far in 2024.

1 — Week one vs. Chattanooga, four yards to Ethan Davis — This touchdown toss to Davis was nothing special, but it’s significant because it’s the first touchdown pass of the season for Iamaleava.

It’s also the first of what could be many scoring hook-ups between the two classmates.

2 — Week one vs. Chattanooga, 36-yard TD to Donte’ Thornton— This is one of my favorites. Anyone who had seen Iamaleava just throwing routes on air in practice was very aware that he had a live arm.

But this throw to Thornton, midway through the first quarter against Chattanooga, was an example of him uncorking one in a game that just made you say, ‘oh my gosh.’

It’s a frozen rope that the phrase ‘on target’ doesn’t even do justice to. Thornton doesn’t break stride as he plucks this rocket out of the air and strolls into the end zone.

3 — Week two vs. NC State, 45-yards to Squirrel White — This was a gem, not just because of the throw—which was spectacular—but because of the situation as well.

Iamaleava had just tossed his first interception of the season which led to an NC State field goal that cut Tennessee’s lead to 7-3 midway through the second quarter.

The game was obviously tight at that point. Tennessee’s offense hadn’t been particularly sharp through the first couple of possessions and you had wonder if Iamaleava was rattled by the pick.

Nope.

On the VERY NEXT PLAY after the interception Iamaleava dropped back and dropped an absolute heat-seeking rainbow of a throw to White that he caught just as he was going out of bounds on the sidelines for a 45 yard gain.

That ball couldn’t have been thrown any better and any questions anyone had about Iamaleava’s confidence were answered emphatically with that throw.

4 — Week two vs. NC State, 15-yard TD to Miles Kitselman — This wasn’t necessarily a highlight reel throw, but this toss shows you the kind of touch and accuracy that fans who didn’t live through Tennessee’s 2023 season might not appreciate.

On the surface this is an easy throw, but it’s also one that some guys might overthink precisely because it is so easy. Iamaleava drops that thing in there to a wide open Kitselman like he’s throwing with a manager in warm-ups.

Also, props to Heupel/Joey Halzle for this play call. You won’t see an easier touchdown this season except for maybe the next play on this list…

5 — Week two vs. NC State, Iamaleava 31 yard touchdown run — Another fantastic play call from the coaching staff and this one gave you a chance to see Iamaleava using his legs to hurt the defense.

He may not be a true ‘dual-threat’ guy, but Iamaleava moves around plenty well. He’s a smooth glider who does a good job of avoiding big shots and he’s more elusive than you might think.

Above all as a scrambler, he does a great job of keeping his eyes down field while extending plays with his feet.

Back to this play. It’s 3rd & 7 Tennessee is already leading 30-3 late in the third quarter.

The Vols dial up a quarterback draw for Iamaleava and he essentially walked into the end zone from 31-yards out.

That right arm that operates with surgical precision is Iamaleava’s biggest weapon, but opponents better not sleep on him as a runner.

6 — Week four vs. Oklahoma, 66-yard touchdown to Thornton — This is my favorite throw of the season so far from Iamaleava.

It’s late in the first quarter in Norman and it’s looking like it’s going to be a slobberknocker against a tough Sooner defense.

Prior to this play Tennessee had two first downs and seven yards rushing in three first quarter possessions.

On 2nd & 1 from the Vols’ 34 yard line on the Vols’ last offensive snap of the opening quarter Iamaleava hit Thornton with a frozen rope over the middle on a deep crossing route that Thornton then took the rest of the way home for 66-yards and the first touchdown of the game.

This throw is RIPPED.

I mean the velocity is one thing. Tennessee fans have seen plenty of footballs thrown hard in recent years. They haven’t seen many thrown with that force and that kind of laser precision.

When Thornton comes into the frame on that clip he has a stride, maybe two, on the Oklahoma defensive back.

He doesn’t even have to THINK about slowing down to pull this ball in.

Thornton is running full speed and Iamaleava just put it on him.

That was big time.