How much Nico Iamaleava can deliver this fall as the starting quarterback of the Tennessee Vols will largely define the season. That shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.
What it will take in order to do it is of greater importance, and it sounds like he might have two qualities that make great quarterbacks what they are: a strong competitive drive and composure under fire.
Tennessee fans got a glimpse of that when he accounted for four touchdowns in the Vols' 35-0 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Citrus Bowl to start the new year. However, according to Josh Heupel on Thursday night after the Vols' second scrimmage, Iamaleava's "competitive composure" has been on display through Spring football.
"In general, I thought he operated and functioned extremely well tonight," Heupel said. "Made some plays. Did that with his arm, made it with his feet, too. We didn't start super fast on the offensive side of the football. Had some opportunities but didn't get points out of it.
"I thought his competitive composure was really big, and it's kind of his demeanor in general. Just continuing to grow in the leadership role, too, so really pleased with what he's done. That's tonight and just through the first part of Spring ball."
Iamaleava hasn't been a huge talker on the field or in the media since taking over as Tennessee's starting quarterback at the end of last season. However, it's clear that he plays with a type of quiet confidence that his teammates can build off of and rally around.
Entering his first season as the starter, his potential is still basically untapped. However, if he indeed has a level of competitiveness and calmness under fire that Heupel alludes to, then 2024 could be the start of some special times ahead in Knoxville with #8 under center for the Vols.
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