Amidst the celebration of a holiday weekend, let’s hope Tennessee coach Josh Heupel finds some quiet, solace time to conclude what he must: Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has to represent the Vols at SEC Media Days.
There isn’t a player on Tennessee’s roster that any reporter worth his laptop would want to talk to more than Iamaleava and it’s not close. Just ask any well educated college football analyst about the Vols’ upcoming season and they’ll mention the deciding factor will almost assuredly be Iamaleava. If he’s great, the Vols can be great. If he’s just okay, then the Vols could be woefully average. For proof, just look at the Vols’ offense last season when it didn’t get high-level quarterback play.
Tennessee sputtered often and early under former quarterback Joe Milton. Therefore, I want to hear what Iamaleava has to say about finally being the man in charge. What motivates him? What does competing mean to him? And just how inept was that Iowa defense? Well, maybe I’ll save that last one.
It doesn’t matter what Iamaleava is asked or how he answers the questions. As long as professionalism is in order, which it will be, Iamaleava will be a positive representation at Tennessee for the entire nation to see. That can’t help but give recruiting a boost.
If Iamaleava was at SEC Media Days, he’d be one of the biggest stars of all the attendees for a few reasons. First, he is one of the most intriguing players on Tennessee’s roster and certainly one of the more interesting storylines in college football this season. Plus, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel would make one incredible statement by taking a redshirt freshman to SEC Media Days, which is to be held in Dallas, Texas, on July 15.
Sending Iamaleava to SEC Media Days would be a clear statement that Heupel believes that Iamaleava will be a superstar and is ready to do so. Programs just don’t bring underclassmen to SEC Media Days unless they’re very special.
Bringing Iamaleava would also force him out of his comfort zone. The Californian isn’t the most talkative nor engaging player. He’ll need to better those skills as soon as possible to be a strong leader for the Vols. Then, there’s the idea of planning ahead. No, Iamaleava isn’t going to win a Heisman Trophy because he attended SEC Media Days this season. However, it couldn’t hurt – this season or next.
Tennessee won’t likely take Iamaleava, but if I were him I’d be politicking to go to SEC Media Days. It would help him develop as a leader, set him up for future awards and, perhaps most importantly, earn him a little more NIL cash with the increased publicity.
Selfishly, I’d like Iamaleava to be at SEC Media Days because it makes for good content, copy or whatever you want to call it. However, I’m sure the fans would like Iamaleava there as well. That’s something for Heupel to think about as explosions reign overhead.
