January continues to bring a ton of news for Tennessee football, and coming off the weekend, Caleb Calhoun and Dave Hooker had plenty to discuss regarding the Vols on Off The Hook’s podcast for Monday, Jan. 23. Recruiting news, a look back on the 2022 season and an analysis of trouble brewing at other programs were all topics of conversation.
Nico Iamaleava continues to make news for Tennessee football
Over the weekend, the Vols’ star commitment at quarterback earned multiple awards. Nico Iamaleava was first named Polynesian Bowl MVP on Friday after completing 13-of-20 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 63 yards. The next day, he was named Polynesian Player of the Year.
We wrote about Iamaleava’s weekend of success here. What does that mean for the Vols going forward? Can Iamaleava win the starting job over Joe Milton III? Just how great of a fit is he for Josh Heupel’s system? He may be the most exciting commitment in a long time.
What does Kam Pringle to South Carolina mean for Vols?
Over the weekend, Tennessee football lost out on four-star offensive lineman Kam Pringle. The Dorchester, S.C., native stayed in his home state and committed to the Gamecocks. Following the decommitment of Mazeo Bennett, another South Carolina prospect, is the Vols’ loss in Columbia having a bigger impact on them than it should? Hooker has a column on that impact here.
Tennessee football 2022 season defensive report card
After generating straight A’s on offense, Tennessee football was much worse on defense this past year. Hooker graded each position unit, and where they all fall was a topic of conversation in the podcast. Were they grades too harsh? Is it possible they were too friendly, or were they just right?
Florida NIL dumpster fire
Billy Napier and the Florida Gators lost out on quarterback prospect Jaden Rashada because he reportedly wasn’t going to receive the NIL money he was promised. This is a big issue for the program going forward, and as written about here, the Vols should be able to cash in on that incompetence.
