When Nico Iamaleava committed to Tennessee in March 2022, it was perhaps the most telling sign in the brief Josh Heupel era that the Vols might be ready to become more than an SEC afterthought.

Iamaleava was a coveted 5-star QB wanted by everybody, including the SEC’s elite in Georgia and Alabama. But he chose Tennessee. (Of course, how much of a factor that reported millions of dollars in NIL cash played is another discussion entirely.)

Ever since, Vols fans have been waiting for the day when Iamaleava takes the reins of Heupel’s offense. Tennessee has produced so many high quality QBs over the years, notably Heath Shuler, Peyton Manning and Josh Dobbs. Expectations were sky high that Iamaleava would be remembered just as fondly when his Tennessee career was over — and he had yet to even arrive in Knoxville.

Iamaleava spent his freshman season as 6th-year QB Joe Milton’s backup. The Vols finished the regular season 8-4, and Milton put up some good numbers. But none of that stopped UT fans from wanting to see what Iamaleava could do.

Iamaleava play in a mop-up role in 4 games, completing 16-of-26 passes for 163 yards and a score. There were flashes of brilliance, yet way too small a sample size for the player expected to be the next great Tennessee QB.

Well, that’s about to change. Milton opted out of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft.

It’s Nico Time.

The future of Tennessee’s football program will be on full display come New Year’s Day, when Iamaleava makes his first career start against Iowa.

And the takes … oh the hot takes are coming, my friends.

Let’s never forget that the backup QB is typically the most popular player on every team. It’s been that way for decades. Heck, I’m old enough to remember a lot of Vols fans who wanted Branndon Stewart to start over Manning in 1994.

In reality, when a backup becomes the starter, his popularity tumbles if the victories don’t follow, but for now, Iamaleava has a high Q rating.

Iamaleava has played in garbage time against Virginia, Texas-San Antonio, UConn and Vanderbilt. Those are not exactly pressure filled situations against great opponents. This time the competition will be much tougher against Iowa, which reached the Big Ten Championship.

While the Hawkeyes’ offense has struggled (hey, it’s the holidays and I’m being nice), the defense is one of the best in the nation. They are ranked 5th in the FBS in total defense, allowing less than 275 yards of offense. The Hawkeyes are also ranked 4th in scoring defense, giving up only 13.2 points per game. Michigan (26) and Penn State (31) are the only teams that topped 16 points against the Hawkeyes.

Making matters more difficult, Iamaleava won’t have the Vols’ top 2 RBs to help him move this offense. Jaylen Wright is heading to the NFL Draft and Jabari Small opted out. Tennessee’s offense we get to see in Orlando probably will look a lot different come September, but that’s not going to stop a massive overreaction from a lot of fans about Iamaleava.

If the Vols look good on offense, Iamaleava is going to win multiple Heisman Trophies and lead the Vols to the SEC championship and national Playoff berths.

If the Vols struggle, he’s a bust and UT will need to give incoming 4-star freshman Jake Merklinger a real shot at the starting job come next fall.

I’m joking here … but not really. Take a tour of #VolTwitter on Monday afternoon and soak in the comments.

Personally, I’m fired up to see what Iamaleava does against Iowa. We’ve heard about his ability for nearly 2 years, but this will be our first chance to see him in action from the jump, unleashed, big goals to go.

The 2024 season basically begins now for the Vols.

And maybe an even brighter future, too.