Tennessee Volunteers redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava has played a pivotal role in the team’s strong start to the season.
The Volunteers are 4-1 and 1-1 in SEC play following last week’s 19-14 upset loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks. However, with every team besides the Texas Longhorns already having at least one SEC loss, the conference is still wide open. Tennessee will look to get back on track Saturday when they host the Florida Gators.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Florida head coach Billy Napier praised Iamaleava, calling him ‘a unicorn.’
“He is a unicorn. This guy is 6-6. I don’t know how much he weighs but he is big and athletic. He’s ripping balls in the outside third, 15, 20 yards deep. Throwing all the vertical shots. He has a big-time arm. He is accurate. He can escape and extend. He is a young player. He is getting experience. He will continue to get better. A lot of hype around him and I think on the tape you can see why.” Napier said.
Iamaleava has been very successful in his first season as Tennessee’s starter. In five games, he’s gone 78-for-117 for 1,050 passing yards and seven touchdowns to just two interceptions. He also has 136 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
While Iamaleava was down slightly in his first two SEC games, throwing just one touchdown pass, Napier knows better than to doubt him.
Iamaleava and the Vols will be out for revenge on Saturday in Knoxville. Florida has won 17 of the last 19 meetings between the two teams, including last season.
