Updating Nico Iamaleava's Heisman Trophy odds
Nico Iamaleava’s odds to win the Heisman Trophy keep getting lower. Following No. 5 Tennessee’s win at Oklahoma last week, the redshirt freshman quarterback now has 9/1 odds to win the Heisman, according to BetOnline.
Iamaleava has the fourth-lowest odds, trailing only Miami quarterback Cam Ward at 7/2, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at 5/1 and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe at 8/1.
Iamaleava had 16/1 odds on August 28, before Tennessee opened the season with a 69-3 win over Chattanooga. The odds went down to 14/1 on September 3 and down to 10/1 on September 8.
The odds stayed at 9/1 the last two weeks.
Nico Iamaleava: 61-88, 892 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs
Iamaleava completed 13 of 21 passes for 194 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown to Dont’e Thornton, in the 25-15 win at Oklahoma last week.
“I think the quarterback is a Heisman Trophy winner,” former Oklahoma assistant coach Cale Gundy said of Iamaleava last week during an appearance on ‘Josh & Swain’ on 99.1-FM The Sports Animal in Knoxville.
“If he stays healthy, before he leaves college, I think he could potentially be the first player taken in the (NFL) Draft someday, whenever he decides to leave college. I think he is very, very talented. He’s in a tremendous system.”
Up Next: No. 5 Tennessee at Arkansas, Saturday, October 5
Iamaleava threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns in the first half of the win over Chattanooga, setting a new Tennessee record for passing yards in a half, before sitting out after halftime after the Vols led 56-0 at the break.
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He only made it to the midway point of the second quarter against Kent State, throwing for 173 yards and a touchdown while Tennessee jumped out to a 65-0 halftime lead on the way to a 71-0 win.
Iamaleava was 16-for-23 from 211 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the 51-10 win over NC State. He also rushed eight times for 65 yards and a touchdown against the Wolfpack.
Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC) is off this week before going to Arkansas next Saturday.
“You’re able to trust him to go out and play in really any type of situation that we’re playing in,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said on Wednesday. “And it’s rare that you got a young quarterback that you feel has that type of command who’s maybe, I don’t know, five starts into his career, whatever it is. But I do love the growth.
“He’s been really consistent in his preparation, continues to take a stronger leadership role on our football team with the experience that he’s had. Look forward to seeing him continue to grow throughout the course of the season.”
