Sports
What will help Nico Iamaleava in 2025?
COLUMBUS, Ohio Nico Iamaleava did everything he could to carry Tennessee to a victory in the College Football Playoff.
And that burden was clearly far too much for the Vols quarterback.
The takeaway: Iamaleava needs help if Tennessee (10-3) hopes to return to the CFP and go deeper in the bracket than this 42-17 loss to Ohio State (11-2) on Saturday.
Iamaleava needs better wide receivers as he couldn't get open against Ohio State's elite secondary. He needs better offensive tackles because he couldn't protect him against the Buckeyes' strong pass rush.
And Iamaleava may need another bell cow running back if Dylan Sampson enters the NFL draft instead of returning next season. The Vols couldn't compensate for the loss of Sampson, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, when an injury sidelined him for most of this game.
Iamaleava rushed for two touchdowns. But he passed for a season-low 104 yards in an anemic outing for the Vols offense.
I'll let (coach Josh Heupel) answer the part about (upgrading) the personnel, offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said. But (the offensive plan) goes through your quarterback. That's why it's like that with guys in the NFL. It's about providing a team around him.
When you have a quarterback that you can let go, our job is to make sure we have the pieces and the plan to allow him to be at his best.
Josh Heupel knows Nico Iamaleava needs help
Granted, Ohio State has the No. 1 scoring defense and arguably the most talented roster in college football. But that's the benchmark the Vols are up against as they try to continue this steep upward trajectory under Heupel.
UT has won 30 games over the past three seasons. That's a huge accomplishment for a program that had a losing record and was headed for NCAA probation when Heupel took over in 2021.
But the next step won't happen if the Vols can't reload around Iamaleava and maximize the former five-star recruit's talent. And this takes into account the fact that he also has plenty of room to grow.
There are some things that (Iamaleava) would like back, and that could be a read or a throw. But (he) kept playing and fighting, Heupel said. There were a lot of moving parts within our staff around him. When you play in that position you have to have the guys around you at a high level as well.
This is where Tennessee needs to improve around Nico Iamaleava
Iamaleava needs to take his game to the next level in 2025. But he has shown flashes of brilliance and the Vols have hitched their wagon to him.
So assuming Iamaleava develops into the high-caliber quarterback he would become, UT needs to upgrade a few key positions around him.
Left tackle Lance Heard, an LSU transfer and former five-star recruit, needs to reach his potential. His development will be a big priority this season.
Five-star signee David Sanders, the No. 1 tackle in the class of 2025, could compete to start at right tackle as a freshman. He registered early and stood on the sidelines at the CFP game with his new team.
Five-star freshman receiver Mike Matthews played but didn't catch a pass from Iamaleava against Ohio State. They will need to get on the same page this offseason, and the Vols need to add one or two dynamic wide receivers through the transfer portal.
“We've got to find some guys (at wide receiver) who are going to step up and make plays, and we'll do that,” Heupel said.
If all these pieces come together, UT could survive and possibly lose Sampson to the NFL in the backfield. But those are still big holes to fill in one offseason. And it's clear that the offense is outdated without the input of playmakers.
Me and Coach (Halzle) and Coach Heupel, we always have conversations about how we can excel in this offense, Iamaleava said. And that will also be the case this offseason.
It's not just talent. Vols loses a large senior class.
But reloading is a two-way equation for the Vols.
Not only do they need to upgrade at those key positions, but they also need to replace valuable veterans who they have relied on throughout Heupel's tenure.
At least 17 seniors will not return in 2025 due to ineligibility, and many absences will impact Iamaleava.
All-SEC center Cooper Mays tops that list. He was the protector and partner of UT quarterbacks Hendon Hooker, Joe Milton and eventually Iamaleava for those 30 wins in three seasons.
ADAMS:Tennessee fans show up against Ohio State. Unfortunately, the Vols didn't
“I know (Iamaleava) is a special kid, very talented,” Mays said. He is one of the most talented football players I have ever seen. His maturity at a young age is also impressive. I know he'll be great no matter what pieces are added around him.
The transfer portal will close on December 28 for new players coming in and expecting the Vols to be active. Their first question should be whether a player can help get the most out of Iamaleava.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football reporter. E-mail[email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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