I was asked recently on a radio show how I would grade Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s play last season. Like far too may relationships, it’s complicated.

To truly assess Iamaleava’s performance in 2024, lets’ break it down into four categories: September, October, November and the College Football Playoff. Put down your pencils. The test is over. Here are your Iamaleava grades.

September

Expectations were probably never going to be met with Iamaleava, who was expected to replicate or build upon the Vols’ offensive explosion in 2022. Well, that didn’t happen. Some of that rests on Iamaleava’s shoulders. Some blame for his shortcomings, however, can be spread around.

I’m willing to give Iamaleava a pass early in the season. It wasn’t his fault that the Vols were so inept at offensive tackle. That had a ripple effect on Iamaleava in his first year as a starter. First, Iamaleava wasn’t comfortable in the pocket at times. That’s understandable with too much pressure coming from the edge.

Despite the aforementioned pass pressure, I’m not willing to give Iamaleava a pass for having a loose handle on the ball early in the season, which led to a couple of September strip sacks. Iamaleava certainly deserves credit for some key plays made in the win against Oklahoma, but that victory was more about scheme and overall team play than a superstar quarterback.

Perhaps I should give Iamaleava credit for his outstanding play against Chattanooga and Kent State in the first month of the season. Perhaps I should give the Harlem Globetrotters credit for beating the Washington Generals. Hard pass.

Although I understand that young quarterbacks make mistakes, it’s hard not to knock Iamaleava’s grade down a bit for an ugly interception against North Carolina State. Fortunately, the Wolfpack lacked an alpha leader last season so it didn’t cost the Vols.

Final September grade: C

October

The Vols began October with a loss to Arkansas, in which Iamaleava once again had a bad grip on the ball which forced him to run out of bounds against Arkansas. Fortunately for the Vols, things got better.

The Vols beat Florida, which finished the season 8-5 but were struggling to find their identity early in the season. That was a rivalry win, but no parades were scheduled. Tennessee was the better team.

The Vols then beat Alabama, which almost made the College Football Playoff. That’s impressive, but Iamaleava wasn’t great. The sophomore was efficient, 14-of-27, but only threw for 195 yards and just one touchdown. He also threw an interception. The Vols won, but not because of elite quarterback play.

Beating Kentucky later in the month would be considered impressive by some schools, but the Vols always beat Kentucky. Pardon me for not being able to feign appreciation.

Final October grade: C+

November

Let’s be frank. If we’re grading November, there should be more weight placed on the Georgia game, in which Iamaleava completed 20-of-33 passes for 167 yards and no touchdowns. That’s not great. Again, pass protection undermined any chance that Iamaleava, who was sacked five times, had to succeed at a high level.

Iamaleava helped the Vols to wins over Mississippi State, UTEP and Vanderbilt in November. Um, that’s nothing to write home about. There were a couple of throws in November that looked pretty special, but there is no extra credit in my grading system.

Final November grade: C

College Football Playoff

This is the most difficult time of the season to grade Iamaleava, who didn’t do anything spectacular against Ohio State in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Understandably, Iamaleava was once again pressured far too often to succeed. The Californian was sacked four times as Ohio State’s wave of defenders continually harassed Iamaleava.

Iamaleava completed just 14-of-31 passes for 104 yards against the Buckeyes. That’s not grand. However, there was a glimmer of hope in the one-sided 42-17 loss to Ohio State. Iamaleava never seemed to wilt in the spotlight and kept fighting, which is commendable in and of itself. However, he certainly wasn’t grand and probably never really had the opportunity to crack the Buckeyes.

Final CFP grad: C

Average.

That’s what a “C” grade equates to, and that just wasn’t good enough last season. Had Iamaleava made more plays against Arkansas, which wouldn’t have been easy considering he was constantly under duress, the Vols could have waltzed into the CFP. Instead, Tennessee needed some help to make sure they made the inaugural post season. Then, there’s the Georgia game.

I’m aware that the Bulldogs were one of the best teams in nation last season. However, Iamaleava was supposed to be the kind of transcendent player that could turn that series in the Vols’ favor. Tennessee nor Iamaleava were ready for the beginning of the season and, according to sources who spoke to Off The Hook Sports, were behind in September, had to dial down the offense and were playing catch-up all season.

Overall 2024 grade: C