Nico Iamaleava question leads to perfect 4-word response from Chattanooga head coach
By Sean Labar
Published:
Nico Iamaleava thrived in Week 1 leading the Tennessee Volunteers to a dominating 69-3 victory over Chattanooga to start the 2024 season.
The redshirt freshman was undoubtedly impressive in his first start of 2024 on Shields-Watkins Field, completing his first 10 passes and finishing with 314 yards through the air on 22-of-28 accuracy with 3 touchdowns in only 2 quarters of action. That yardage total was a school record for a half, topping the previous best of 313 set by Tyler Bray in the first half vs. Troy in 2012.
On Tuesday, Chattanooga head coach Rusty Wright was asked whether UTC will see any QB close to Iamaleava the rest of the year and the Mocs front man delivered a hilarious, perfect 4-word response.
https://twitter.com/RickNymanSport/status/1831043931934773401
“Hell, I hope not,” Wright said without hesitation.
While it’s obviously early in the year, SEC analyst Peter Burns was impressed enough by the Vols’ QB in Saturday’s opener that he believes it’s inevitable Iamaleava wins the Heisman Trophy at some point during his collegiate career.
“That’s a Heisman Trophy award winner,” Burns said. “Now it may not happen this year for Nico, but in Josh Heupel’s offense and the amount of success they are going to have recruiting guys to come play with him. And the amount of money they have going in the collective in Knoxville. I think you’re going to see this kid, whether it’s this year or next, he’s going to win a Heisman.”
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound QB from California has the prototypical frame to thrive as a starter in the SEC, but let’s see how he plays against top-tier SEC competition before awarding him the most prestigious award in college football.
Sean Labar is an SEC football contributor for Saturday Down South.
