Tennessee Volunteers five-star freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava made his first career start on Monday afternoon against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Citrus Bowl, and he certainly did not disappoint.
Playing against one of the nation’s best defenses in the first start of his career, Nico Iamaleava completed 12 of his 19 pass attempts for 151 yards in the air while also scoring three touchdowns on the ground. And he certainly impressed Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.
“I just think, as a young player, the moment, nothing’s too big for him,” Heupel told Kayla Burton after the game according to On3. “He’s very in control, and does a great job relating to all the guys at every position on every unit — offense, defense. He’s a dynamic leader already as a young guy. Really pleased with his poise and his playmaking ability today.”
Iamaleava will likely be the team’s starting quarterback for the next two seasons, and it sounds like Heupel is pleased with what he saw from his young quarterback.
“Thought he did a great job,” Heupel said. “Just controlling everything. First time starting, just the huddle, the mechanics, operations, controlling our run game protections. All of it, did a fantastic job. Made a bunch of plays throughout the course of it with his arm and his feet. Special player.”
It will certainly be interesting to see how his career develops.
