Joe Milton III will not suit up for Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl against No. 17 Iowa.

The news is only slightly a surprise. Milton is officially off to the NFL after a good season with Tennessee football. The former Michigan transfer threw for 2,813 yards with 20 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in his final season on Rocky Top.

This of course means that 5-star freshman Nico Iamaleava will take the reins of the Vols offense as a starter for the first time in his young career. Iamaleava was considered by some to be the top prospect available in the Class of 2023 rankings and is a consensus 5-star talent.

Iamaleava threw for 163 yards and a touchdown during limited reps this season backing up Milton.

Milton will still be in Florida with the team to support his teammates. Here’s his post to Instagram, via X:

Iamaleava will get some run against one of the better defenses in the country, one that should still have plenty of talent on that side of the ball after opt-outs. Iowa’s defense allowed just 172 passing yards per game in 2023, a mark that finished 8th best in the country.

The Citrus Bowl between No. 21 Tennessee and No. 17 Iowa will kick off at 1 p.m. ET on January 1 from Orlando, Florida.