Tennessee Volunteers redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava carries the weight of high expectations, reminiscent of Peyton Manning's legacy. Iamaleava receives guidance from Manning who encourages and mentors him. Iamaleava's comfort level and command have grown, and the team's improved protection allows him to thrive. The Volunteers face a crucial game with the potential to upset a top-ranked team in the College Football Playoff.
Paul Finebaum says Tennessee has the best chance to pull off an upset out of the four CFP underdogs in the first round, which could lead to Ohio State firing Ryan Day. All around the Volunteers redshirt freshman quarterback were pictures, mementos and reminders of the best -- and most celebrated -- quarterback ever to play at Tennessee.
"Your football team is going to take on the traits of your quarterback, and you're talking about toughness," Heupel said."When your football team sees that guy playing with physical toughness and mental toughness too, it garners a ton of respect from the guys around him.Former UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton has worked closely with Iamaleava the past two seasons as an offensive analyst at Tennessee.
"It was really cool to see the way his demeanor sharpened, especially when it was time to take over the team," said Tennessee senior linebacker and team captain, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in October."Nico's not a rah-rah guy. He's more the kind of guy that takes a teammate aside and tells him what the team needs out of him.
Video games were how Iamaleava was introduced to football; as a toddler he used to sit in the lap of his father while he played Madden. Iamaleava is one of eight siblings, ranging in age from 23 to 11, and family is extremely important. He said the entire family was together for Thanksgiving, and they all drove to Nashville that Saturday for the Vanderbilt game. His parents have been to every Vols game this season.
"There's no doubt that he's heard those expectations and has to live with them every single day," Heupel said."But what's really unique about Nico is that he can be himself and go through his journey as a quarterback growing into the player that he's going to be capable of, which is elite, but he can handle everything else that's going on around him.Mays, who comes from a family of Tennessee offensive linemen, admits he's no quarterback guru.
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