Tennessee running back Peyton Lewis doesn’t need to be an upperclassman to see how much quarterback Nico Iamaleava has grown during this offseason.
Lewis, who recently told Off The Hook Sports that he is completely cleared from a pelvic and shoulder injury, has seen Iamaleava grow in his first offseason of preparation to be Tennessee’s starting quarterback. That’s good for the Vols as coaches have frequently said Iamaleava is being encouraged to engage more with his fellow teammates now that he’s QB1.
“I would say he’s a great leader,” Lewis said. “He definitely knows when to step up. He knows when to make his voice heard. He’s impactful. We’re in the huddle and he’s making sure everybody is on the same page.
“I think as a leader, Nico has definitely grown up. I’m proud with how he carries himself.”
That has been the consensus since Iamaleava arrived on campus in December 2021. Sure, he’s been mature beyond his years, but there is a different approach now that he’s the Vols’ next great hope to compete for a championship.
Of course, Iamaleava could use some help in a rather sparse backfield. The Vols have a proven first-string tailback in Dylan Sampson, but experienced pickings are slim after that. Lewis is an option. So is sophomore Cameron Seldon, who lit up spring practice in 2023, played in all 13 games last season, but never found consistent, first-team playing time last season.
While Sampson will carry most of the load this season, he has size limitations at just 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, which is likely a rather generous listing by UT. Seldon is listed at 6-2 and 222 pounds. Lewis is listed at 6-1 and 219 pounds, but looks like he might just be a bit bigger. Nevertheless, the old adage that it’s easier to have an early impact as a running back doesn’t necessarily hold true for Lewis.
“I would say that there’s a lot that goes into being a running back,” Lewis said. “All different types of aspects, like ball carrying, then you’ve got receptions and pass protection; all that.
“There are a lot of different things you have to think about and you’ve got to be perfect in all of them. If you miss an assignment on pass pro(tection), then the receivers can’t do their job because of the running back.”
True, but a running back could also get Iamaleava laid out. That would be bad. Lewis admitted there are challenges in college that he never faced in high school.
“It’s definitely a high responsibility job,” Lewis said. “I wouldn’t consider it easier (than other positions to play early). When I first came in here, I started off in an offense (from high school) that wasn’t like a college pro-style at all.
“I kind of started from ground zero, just learning different stuff and picking up new keys. It’s definitely been different for me and eye-opening, but I think I’ve been taking it on pretty well, getting an ample amount of reps has definitely helped me out.
“Hopefully in the fall, I’ll feel more comfortable in pass protection and by the time the season comes around, it will be second nature.”
For Iamaleava’s sake, it had better be.
