Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is very good. However, he can get much better. Seriously.
I was, frankly, surprised when I pulled up the NCAA statistics on the Vols’ redshirt freshman quarterback and found that he was only the 16th highest-rated quarterback in the nation and sixth-best in the SEC. Now, some quarterbacks above him rate higher because they’ve played lessor schedules, but that will all sort itself out. Let’s compare him to what he could be under Tennessee coach Josh Heupel and how Iamaleava stacks up in the SEC.
Iamealeva’s quarterback rating is 185.5, which is surely down a bit after he threw two interceptions against the Wolfpack on Saturday and positively affected by his sublime performance against Chattanooga in the Vols’ season opener. As for the Wolfpack, one of those interceptions came as he was hit and could be judged as more of a mistake on an offensive lineman than Iamaleava, but all of that will shake itself out by the end of the season.
When Tennessee’s offense was at its best, former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker was rated as the second-best quarterback in the nation and tops in the SEC with a 177.7 rating. The rating is lower, but that’s because he played an entire season against top-flight opponents. Iamaleava’s rating will surely come back to earth a bit, but he’ll likely be one of the top three quarterbacks in the SEC before the season is over, based on rating and, well, just simple common sense.
Georgia’s Carson Beck and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart will be tough to top this season in quarterback rankings. Beck can be efficient and not make mistakes thanks to a stout running game and a great defense. Dart is playing for Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who will try to score at every opportunity, even when the game is out of reach. Kiffin also knows what it would mean to lead Dart to a Heisman Trophy so he’ll probably play Dart when he’s not always needed.
Florida’s D.J. Lagway made his first start last week against Samford so his stats are padded. He’s rated as the second-best quarterback in the SEC. That won’t last. The Gators are toothless this season and that will show up in Lagway’s rating.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe is rated as the third-best quarterback in the SEC, but he’s played Western Kentucky and South Florida. That schedule will surely inflate some numbers. The Wisconsin game on Saturday should provide more clarity.
Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen is rated as the fourth-best quarterback in the SEC, but he will also likely slide a bit with SEC play coming. The Bulldog has led State to an easy win over Eastern Kentucky and a 30-23 loss to Arizona State.
So who would you rather have if you’re building a team? There are three clear-cut choices. Along with Beck and Dart, Iamaleava is one of the top three quarterbacks in the SEC to this point in the season.
