Why Nico Iamaleava is asking a million questions for Tennessee football but not talking NIL
Every number related to Tennessee freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava mattered in the first week of spring practice, but don’t dwell on them.
His jersey is No. 12, for now. It might be No. 8 later.
His weight is 210, for now. Coaches hope he gains more.
His place in the quarterback rotation was No. 4, but now it’s No. 2.
As for Iamaleava’s name, image and likeness deal, which is reportedly $8 million – he’s not talking about that. And don’t be surprised if he stays quiet on that topic.
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It was hard to quantify Iamaleava’s first week of spring practice. Freshmen are supposed to make ample mistakes and hopefully work through them, and that rang true for UT’s highest rated quarterback prospect in at least 25 years.
But there already are some undeniable observations of Iamaleava that could impact where his UT career goes. Here are five of them.
Iamaleava is Joe Milton’s eager understudy
It’s hard to say whether Iamaleava could challenge Joe Milton for the starting job as a freshman or develop much slower into a quality SEC quarterback.
But there’s a clear pecking order in spring practice.
Iamaleava said he and his teammates are buying into what Milton “is trying to build.” He also called Milton his “big brother,” and he's peppered the 23-year-old quarterback with questions.
“Nico comes to me every night right after meetings, and he asks me questions about the script,” Milton said. “I’m willing to help anyway I can.”
Milton is the presumed starter for the 2023 season. He was a strong backup for Hendon Hooker last season. And he led the Vols over Clemson as the Orange Bowl MVP after Hooker tore his ACL.
Iamaleava has shown deference to Milton as the eager understudy.
“It’s my job to go out there and compete and be ready when my number is called,” Iamaleava said. “Anything can happen this season. So really (I am) just being like what Joe was to Hendon last year and being prepared whenever my number is called.”
Tennessee offense is hard, and Iamaleava knows it
UT’s offense runs at the fastest tempo in college football, and Iamaleava was admittedly jolted by the pace. It was the hardest part of his first week.
“You can watch (UT’s up-tempo offense) all day and all night,” Iamaleava said. “But when you actually get into the offense, it’s a whole different ball game. Getting that tempo down is way different than just watching it from the stands.”
Joey Halzle, UT’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, expected it would be a difficult adjustment for Iamaleava. It took Milton about a year to catch up to UT’s pace after transferring from Michigan, and freshmen are less prepared.
“No matter how prepared you are going from high school to college, it’s fast,” Halzle said. “We put as much on the quarterback as anybody in the country, if not more. It’s a lot. He’s handling it well with a great attitude. But people forget how hard it is to come in and play as a true freshman at any level of college football.”
Iamaleava isn’t talking about NIL money
It’s been widely reported that Iamaleava signed an $8 million NIL contract, although he’s never confirmed it.
During his first appearance with members of the media, Iamaleava was asked if he faced extra pressure because of that NIL deal. He politely dodged the topic.
“No pressure, man,” Iamaleava said Thursday with a wide grin. “Next question.”
Iamaleava could be abiding by a confidentiality clause in his NIL contract. He also may see the downside of publicly talking about receiving a lot of money before playing a college game.
But the topic will hover around him. CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd wrote “there are already whispers Iamaleava isn’t worth the $8M.” However, no UT coaches have shown a hint of disappointment in the freshman.
Coaches aren’t taking it easy on him
Coach Josh Heupel said Iamaleava would be pushed hard, especially since he and Milton are the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
Defensive coordinator Tim Banks followed that guidance. He called exotic defensive fronts, aggressive blitzes and multiple coverages to confuse Iamaleava during scrimmages.
Halzle loved it.
“On day one against Coach Banks’ defense, you’re getting the kitchen sink thrown at you,” Halzle said. “My message to (Iamaleava) after practice that first day was: ‘This is good. You have no idea how good this is for you (because) you have to play fast and still operate within it.' "
Iamaleava said he’s gotten mad when seeing the mistakes that he’s made on film. But he’s not discouraged.
Iamaleava isn’t that skinny anymore
In high school, the lanky 6-foot-6 Iamaleava looked too thin and brittle to take the pounding from SEC defenses. But his body has noticeably thickened since entering UT’s strength and conditioning program.
Iamaleava weighed 198 pounds when he arrived at UT in December. He said he was 210 before spring practice, and coaches want him at 215 or 220 when the season starts.
Milton, a 6-5, 242-pounder, is one of the biggest quarterbacks in college football. Hooker was 6-4, 218 pounds last season.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. Twitter @AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.