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ESPN's spring football overreaction for Tennessee: Nico Iamaleava for Heisman

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•05/08/24•

GrantRamey

Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee Football, News Sentinel
(Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK) Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) during UT's first spring football practice on Monday, March 18, 2024.

Labeling Nico Iamaleava as a Heisman Trophy contender entering his sophomore season, as Tennessee football’s new starting quarterback, is an overreaction. That’s according to ESPN, which this week listed its overreactions for each team in its Way Too Early Top 25 for the 2024 season. 

“Anybody who has seen Iamaleava throw the ball and deftly work his way around the pocket knows what an immense talent Tennessee’s first-year starting quarterback is,” ESPN’s Chris Low wrote. “But there’s such a thing as too much hype (and too many expectations) too soon. 

“His performance in the win over Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl was promising, but bowl games aren’t always a great indicator of what comes next.”

Nico Iamaleava accounted for 4 TDs while making first career start in Citrus Bowl

Tennessee, ranked No. 16 in ESPN’s early top 25 for next season, beat Iowa 35-0 in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. 

Iamaleava made his first career start in the bowl game — after Joe Milton III opted out to begin prep work for the NFL Draft — and accounted for four total touchdowns. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 151 yards and one passing touchdown and ran 15 times for 27 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

He opened the scoring with a 19-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and added a 3-yard touchdown run six minutes later. He had a 2-yard touchdown run in the third and threw an 18-yard touchdown to tight end McCallan Castles in the fourth quarter.

Edge rusher James Pearce accounted for the other touchdown, taking an interception back 52 yards for a score. 

‘Now comes the real challenge — performing consistently week in and week out’

Iamaleava was not only a five-star prospect coming out of Long Beach, California, in 2023, he was the No. 1 overall player in the On3 rankings. He was ranked No. 6 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking, coming in as the No. 3 quarterback in the class and the No. 1 player in the state of California.

“The Vols need to play well around Iamaleava this season,” Low wrote for ESPN, “both in the way the offensive line protects him and the way his skill players make plays. Iamaleava is well-liked in the locker room and has shown no entitlement despite all the attention he’s received. 

“But now comes the real challenge — performing consistently week in and week out against the grind of an SEC schedule. Iamaleava also needs to bulk up. Unlike his arm talent, his durability could be a question.”

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