Nico Iamaleava Has College Football Social Media Raving After 2024 Debut for Vols

Evan Crowell | Sep 4, 2024

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) throws a pass during a game between Tennessee and Chattanooga, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. / Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Tennessee Volunteers Football program was in a state of anticipation this offseason. The first-career start of five-star QB Nico Iamaleava against Iowa in the Cheez-It Bowl was enough. It was enough to have the hype build for what could be a very special season and career for the Vols signal-caller.

After a week one debut against UTC that featured 314 yards on 78.2% completion, 3 TDs and 0 INTs in one half of football, that hype surrounding Nico Iamaleava is not only warranted, but seemingling growing.

Social media was ablaze on Saturday evening following the Vols' 69-point offensive display, mostly due to the fact that Tennessee could have a potential Heisman candidate on roster.

“I’m not gonna be all excited about whatever he did against Chattanooga and then I watched the tape ... I was BLOWN away.”@colecubelic and @Harp41 break down Nico Iamaleava's best throws from Week 1 🎯🔥 pic.twitter.com/zTtfMUQc9G

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 3, 2024

That was the general consensus from most... "Who cares it's UTC?" Then they watch some of the throws and that quickly turned into "I don't care if it's UTC, look at that."

UTC head coach Rusty Wright hopes to see nothing like Nico moving forward...

Mocs coach Rusty Wright on whether UTC will see any QB close to the Vols Nico Iamaleava the rest of the year? 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/hhupeMLiHe

— Rick Nyman (@RickNymanSport) September 3, 2024

Former ESPN analsyt David Pollack gave a glowing review of Iamaleava's debut as well, saying it's the greatest debut he's seen...

I have seen a lot of hyped QB's make great debuts.

I haven't seen one better than Nico Iamaleava for @Vol_Football.

I just finished the tape and goodness gracious was it good!!

I know it's Chattanooga but the kid is going to be a flat out superstar.pic.twitter.com/HJV4F3Ls6H

— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) September 1, 2024

Heisman contender and potentially the best QB in the SEC by year's end. That's the way CBS's Josh Pate feels about the redshirt freshman quarterback.

“Nico Iamaleava is a Heisman contender this year and may be the best QB in the SEC by the end of the year” - Josh Pate pic.twitter.com/yuf68ZH59H

— Austin Brown (@Austin_Vols) September 4, 2024

Other Tennessee News:

• Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel Previews Matchup vs NC State
• Tennessee Volunteers Look Like True College Football Contenders
• Josh Heupel Updates Tennessee Injury Report - Rickey Gibson Available vs NC State

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