Josh Heupel Comments On Nico Iamaleava's Leadership

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel spoke on quarterback Nico Iamaleava after their second spring practice.

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel spoke on quarterback Nico Iamaleava after their second spring practice.

Tennessee's season largely depends on the performance of quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The California native has the entirety of college football, paying attention to Knoxville, Tennessee. In an expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field, there's a real possibility that Iamaleava and company can make national noise.

While it's fun to read preseason expectations, they're just that - expectations. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel praised Iamaleava for limiting the distractions and keeping football the main thing. He noted that Iamaleava is in a different role as the starting quarterback compared to his true freshman season, where he got to learn and ride in the passenger seat.

"He does a phenomenal job in one-on-one situations. Communication with wide receivers after a series, offensive line. The growth, his voice within our entire program, he’s got to continue to grow in that role. That’s something that is true for every young quarterback, though. Expect him to continue to mold into that." - Josh Heupel on Nico Iamaleava

Iamaleava is an early Heisman candidate and a potential breakout superstar. He has the billing of an NFL quarterback, but there's a long way to go. It starts with having a productive spring and acclimating to the new transfers on the offensive side of the football. The projected offensive group doesn't have many collective snaps together, so it's vital to get good ones in spring practices.

Tennessee Volunteers QB Nico Iamaleava during spring practices. (Photo by Brianna Paciorka of the News Sentinel)

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