Can Tennessee’s offense regain its elite status with Nico Iamaleava at the helm?
Tennessee’s quarterback Nico Iamaleava is facing immense expectations as he steps into his first season as the starting quarterback, particularly amidst the NCAA investigation into his recruitment. While his successes at Tennessee have been noteworthy, we’ve only seen glimpses of his potential at the college level. Nonetheless, despite the uncertainties, many are eagerly rallying behind Iamaleava as the upcoming season approaches. CBS Sports analyst Tom Fornelli shared his insights on how the Vols might perform in the next season, given a reasonable schedule and Iamaleava leading the team. Fornelli predicts that Tennessee could replicate the remarkable achievements of the 2022 season, which stands out as one of the most memorable years for the University of Tennessee football program in recent decades. With Iamaleava steering the offense, there’s significant promise, and observers are intrigued to witness the developments. Fornelli expresses his support for Iamaleava, citing a regression in Tennessee’s offense during the previous season under Milton’s leadership. He expects a resurgence under Iamaleava, projecting that the Vols could significantly improve their scoring output compared to the previous season, potentially approaching the 40 points per game mark in SEC play. Despite uncertainty regarding Iamaleava’s NIL earnings, Fornelli suggests that his impact on the team justifies any compensation he receives.
