Touted Tennessee freshman QB compared to 'beautiful ribeye'

Vols fans may be eager for Iamaleava to take the reins from Hooker, but the host of “The Hard Count” on the On3 YouTube Channel preaches patience for the young QB.

“Year one for Nico, as much as we want to see him check into the game and throw a touchdown…it is about development in year one for young Nico Iamaleava,” J.D. PicKell said. “Year one is not to break records, not to make highlight plays, not to win a Heisman Trophy, not to win a national title with Nico as your quarterback at the very least. It is about development.”

PicKell compared Iamaleava to a “perfectly cut, beautiful ribeye” that needs more seasoning before it is ready to be “thrown on the grill.” 

As strange a comparison as it may be, recent trends in the NFL Draft indicate PicKell’s plan for Iamaleava is the right call.

Of the last 10 quarterbacks taken in the first round of the NFL Draft, only Trevor Lawrence (Clemson), Justin Herbert (Oregon) and Zach Wilson (BYU) started more than one game in their freshman season. All later experienced immense success in college.

Additionally, none of the consensus top four quarterbacks of the 2023 NFL Draft (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson) started in his first college season.

The Volunteers do not need Iamaleava to be their starter in 2023. In limited action last season, former four-star recruit Joe Milton threw for 971 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. 

If Milton -- a Michigan transfer --  can keep Tennessee in the upper echelon of the conference, Iamaleava learn in 2023 and push the Vols over the top as a redshirt freshman in 2024.

As the saying goes, "patience is a virtue," and a good dose of it may be the best way route for Tennessee to go with its touted QB.