Spring Practice Stand Outs to Watch for in Saturday Spring Games Across the SEC

QB, Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee)

Hindsight, Iamaleava should have maybe been the quarterback in 2023 for the Volunteers who finished the regular season 8-4 under senior quarterback, Joe Milton.

While it was a decent year for the Vols, it was a step back from 2022 which saw them end a 13-game losing streak to the Tide under quarterback Hendon Hooker who also led them to a 10-2.

A year on the bench however appears to have done the former four-star recruiter from the class of 2022 some good. That gave Iamaleava a full year to learn head coach Josh Heupel’s offense.

In an article written by Craig Smith of www.atozsports.com, Heupel praised Iamaleava’s performance through in the Vols’ second scrimmage stating “his competitive composure was really big. And it’s kind of his demeanor in general. Just continuing to grow in the leadership role, too, so really pleased with what he’s done. That’s tonight and just through the first part of spring ball.”