It’s understandable to no longer value returning quarterbacks this day in age in college football. The period from 2009 to 2015 radically altered that narrative, as every one of those years either the national championship or Heisman Trophy winning quarterback was a first-year starter, including both being the case in 2010 and 2013 with Cam Newton and Jameis Winston. Johnny Manziel, Trevor Lawrence and Bryce Young only further fueled that narrative.
As a result, Tennessee fans might be overlooking the advantage the Vols have in returning starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. They might overlook it more than anybody because their one and only national championship of the modern era came with a first-year starter at quarterback in Tee Martin during a time in which almost all national champions were led by returning starters.
Fans are wrong to do that.
Many are forgetting the value that comes with chemistry involving a returning starter. Entering SEC Media Days last year, the league loaded up on quarterbacks, and Iamaleva was part of a trio of new starters who were supposed to become superstars, including LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold. All of them underachieved, and Arnold hit the transfer portal after being benched.
Heading into 2024, Tennessee is the only school among the top five programs from the league in the final AP Poll to return its starting quarterback. If you consider the step back Georgia took with Carson Beck or the national title Michigan won with J.J. McCarthy, you would see why that’s valuable.
Fans of Tennessee and Josh Heupel should see it even more.
In an era of cutting-edge offenses designed to make quarterbacks look elite, Heupel’s offense seemed like the gold standard. However, because of how receivers have to read routes and quarterbacks have to predict them, it was always at its best with quarterbacks who had experience starting in the pros, an offense whose skill players had built a rapport or both. Neither was the case for the 2024 Vols.
As a result, Tennessee fans should be excited about Iamaleava returning. Nussmeier and South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNoris Sellers are the only threats with experience to Iamaleava. Neither SC or LSU came close to what Tennessee accomplished this past year.
Of course, with Dylan Sampson gone, Iamaleava will see a greater increase in pressure than the other two, but that doesn’t mean his experience won’t be valuable. In fact, the increase in pressure could mean more key plays per game which could establish more of a rhythm.
Simply put, while there is a legitimate reason to be concerned about his play, Iamaleava brings a level of experience this year that should give him and Heupel a huge advantage. It’s not as sexy as it was 30 years ago, but it’s still a major factor if handled right.
