Tennessee hasn’t won a championship in over 25 years. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is set to change all that – and he’s not too shy about stating as much.
“The main goal for me is to make that top 12 and get the playoffs,” the Vols’ rising redshirt freshman told On3 recently. “Win an SEC Championship. That’s been my main goal. Just continue to work every day at practice, extra film sessions with guys.
“That’s going to play a huge role in our season. Just continue to do what we have been doing will help us get there.”
The Vols haven’t needed to fire-up a championship cigar since news was smoldering about President Bill Clinton and some intern named Monica Lewinsky. If the Vols find themselves where they were back then, winning a national championship, then Iamaleava’s tenure at Tennessee will be an inarguable success. However, what if the California kid doesn’t achieve the ultimate prize, which would have to be considered a national title? Would his career be a disappointment? As much as it may pain one to say it, most would say no championship would equal lowered expectations. However, I wholeheartedly disagree.
Iamaleava doesn’t have to win a national championship to be a success at Tennessee. If the Vols are in the hunt for two national championships in Iamaleava’s tenure, that’s a success no matter what happens. If the Vols make the 12-team playoff (or however many teams are in it), that’s reason enough to think the Vols have momentum that can keep them in contention for a championship and eventually win one, even if Iamaleava is starring in the NFL at the time.
While everyone wants to win immediately, there doesn’t seem to be any rush in Knoxville. The Vols are on solid ground with Josh Heupel and, while things could change, he seems content. Iamaleava may win Heupel a championship. However, if the confident signal-caller from SoCal can just keep the Vols in the conversation – as they were in 2022 – that’s success that can’t simply be measured by a skyward banner or a pristine trophy, because it can result in both.
