You know about Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s arm ability, size, mobility and every other tangible that can be measured by a scout or evaluated on a highlight reel. However, you don’t know what kind of leader he’ll be. We’re about to find out.
Being more engaged with his teammates has been goal No. 1 for Iamaleava in the offseason, considering he’s had most of his skills in place before even knowing that Tennessee has a Bluetick Coonhound dog as its mascot. Not being a leader as a true freshman last season is certainly no knock on Iamaleava. He didn’t need to be nor was he asked to be.
The Vols didn’t need Iamaleava to be a leader last season. They needed Iamaleava to be a sponge, especially with former Vol Joe Milton III entrenched as the starter, and learn everything he possible could. Now it’s time for a different challenge.
The Vols don’t need nor want a fiery leader at quarterback. Sure, there will be times in which Iamaleava will be outspoken, but don’t expect that to be the norm. Tennessee’s offense has its leaders. Center Cooper Mays and receiver Bru McCoy are the most obvious examples, so don’t expect fire and brimstone from Iamaleava.
“I would say Nico isn’t like that type of person,” Tennessee receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr., said, referring to Iamaleava as more of an even-keeled Vol. “But if he feels like he needs to address something, he’s going to address it head on. He’s not going to go around any corner.”
Just like any other college football program, Tennessee didn’t have perfect practices throughout preseason camp. There were some duds, as is always the case, especially early in camp. Iamaleava didn’t shy away from taking the reigns when needed. And when Iamaleava talks, it carries some weight.
“We all listen to him like…because he’s our quarterback and he has the right intentions,” Thornton said. “We know that we need to do that (whatever he says).”
Things have changed mightily for Iamaleava in the past year. No one expected him to play last season, even though some hoped for as much. Now, he’s expected to play – and star – for the Vols in his first season as a full-time starter. Thornton doesn’t see that being a challenge schematically.
“Nico looks at the game from a different level, like most people feel if you’re a young guy and you have that quarterback role, there’s a lot of pressure,” Thornton said, “but Nico goes out there every single day and plays like he’s still playing high school.
“I feel like the biggest difference I’ve seen from him, from year one to this year would be like his mental end,” Thornton said. “…You would think he’d been in college football for a long time. The way that he handles himself on the field and off the field.
“His leadership role has developed a lot more and it’s been more seen by everybody. So I feel like his mindset towards everything makes it easy for everybody to want to play with him. And I feel like with him having confidence in himself and then everyone around him having that confidence in him, it makes him play better.”
So don’t be upset if you don’t see Iamaleava delivering a fiery speech on the sideline this season. While that will probably happen eventually, he’s not being asked to do that nor is it his nature. The Vols know what kind of leader they need at quarterback this season. Even-keeled would be perfect.
