Nico Iamaleava’s decision to commit to Tennessee was national news and understandably so. However, it also may prove to be historic.
Iamaleava, who confirmed he will enroll at Tennessee in January during an interview last week with the Long Beach Press Telegram, is already expected to be a generational-type of player that could transform Tennessee’s program from what it is to what it has been, which is a championship contender.
That has happened before. Former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning gave the Vols a boost when he signed with Tennessee in 1994. However, he wasn’t the first quarterback to get the ball rolling.
Iamaleava has much more in common with former Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler than Manning. First, the five-star prospect from Long Beach (Calif.) Poly is more of a running threat, like Shuler, when plays tend to break down. Of his many strengths, Manning’s running ability was never listed as elite.
The backdrop surrounding Iamaleava’s enrollment in January is also much more like Shuler’s than Manning’s. The Vols had good – but not elite – talent at quarterback before Shuler arrived. He elevated the position, which set a new standard and a new stage for Manning.
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker may become elite this season. As for now, he’s really good, but we’ll see about elite. No matter how good Hooker becomes, he should always be remembered as the player that got things moving forward if Tennessee has championship-level success under coach Josh Heupel. Without Hooker in 2021, there’s probably no Iamaleava in 2023.
Without Shuler in 1993, there’s probably no Manning winning an SEC title in 1997. Tennessee’s coaches proved what they could do with an elite talent like Shuler, who would likely admit that he was a little rough around the edges when he enrolled at Tennessee.
Former Tennessee coach David Cutcliffe was in charge of coaching the Vols’ quarterbacks when Shuler was on the roster. Would Manning have chosen Tennessee without Shuler on Cutcliffe’s resume? We’ll never know, but turning Shuler into the No. 3 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft surely didn’t hurt.
We do know that Tennessee didn’t have to worry about having a talented quarterback for nearly 30 years after Shuler agreed to sign with the Vols. Injuries aside, Tennessee was never in dire need of a talented quarterback until 2010. That’s when things started going off the rails.
Iamaleava is intent on changing all of that. That’s why he’s enrolling at UT in January.
“I’m excited, man,” Iamaleava said about arriving at Tennessee following his senior season. “I can’t wait to leave, but I know I’m going to miss my teammates. But I’m excited, man…It’s just the future is bright. And I think they are going to have a breakout year this year, for sure. They’ve got Georgia and ‘Bama on their schedule. We’re going to put some upsets on them, hopefully. I’m excited for Tennessee, man.”
It’s worth noting that Shuler’s Tennessee team in 1993 beat Georgia and tied Alabama, which was later forced to forfeit that game because of NCAA violations.
Time will tell if Tennessee can soon claim victories over Georgia and Alabama in the same season. That’s quite a difficult task as things currently stand in the SEC. However, it seems much more doable with Iamaleava on his way.
Iamaleava is expected to have a big impact on the field during his time at Tennessee. However, he could do even more for the Vols. There is a quarterback out there watching to see what Iamaleava will be able to accomplish at Tennessee. Is there another Manning out there?
