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The Nico Iamaleava hype train has left the station.
No. 15 Tennessee cruised to a 69-3 win over Chattanooga to open their 2024 season on Saturday. While wins over FCS schools won’t do much to move the needle for the Volunteers’ SEC and College Football Playoff hopes, those of us who tuned in solely to see star quarterback Nico Iamaleava witnessed why the folks in Knoxville are so high on their young signal-caller.
Of course, I didn’t need much convincing. I’ve been telling everybody who would listen to my opinion on Iamaleava all offseason. I’ve even told those who weren’t listening that I think Iamaleava has the potential to be the best QB in the country and win a Heisman Trophy as a redshirt freshman.
Putting the competition aside — it’s difficult, I know — Iamaleava put it all out there, finishing the game with 22 completions on 28 attempts and throwing for 313 yards and three touchdowns. And he did that all in the first half. After helping lead Tennessee to a 45-0 lead at halftime, there wasn’t much reason to send him out for the second half.
You see that throw? I know some will look at it and say, “the receiver was wide open!” He was, but go ahead and look at the touchdowns Jayden Daniels threw last season. Tell me how many times you see a defender within 5 yards of Malik Nabers or Brian Thomas. Again, it’s not the competition or even the result here that matters. It’s the actual throw. Iamaleava unleashed a 45-yard rocket on a dime with a simple flick of the wrist.
If he were a Major League pitcher, he’d be the guy throwing 99 that scouts say has “easy heat” because it looks effortless.
Then, there was this touchdown to Dont’e Thornton Jr. on a slant.
Again, there’s nothing extraordinary here from a scheme perspective, nor is…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/all-aboard-the-nico-iamaleava-hype-train-tennessee-star-qb-dazzles-in-regular-season-debut-as-vols-dominate/
Author : Tom Fornelli
Publish date : 2024-08-31 20:52:57
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