ORLANDO, Fla. — Nico Iamaleava lifted his niece in his right arm. His left hand held the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl MVP belt. The belt — likewise held by the gigantic Cheez-It Bowl mascot named “Ched-Z” — covered off an effective initial beginning for the rookie quarterback.
That start incorporated a threesome of surging scores, a passing score and 151 yards on 12-of-19 passing. Iamaleava was more than a little flawed, yet he was sufficient to lead the Vols to a 35-0 win over Iowa to secure the Citrus Bowl.
“Felt perfect, man,” Iamaleava said. “At last, to play an entire game, I have not done that in some time. Felt much better to get back out there and consider making the plunge.”
It was a season that didn’t be guaranteed to go to anticipate Iamaleava. His playing time was restricted, best case scenario, and when he played he couldn’t really open the offense. He played so minimal that he was qualified for a redshirt — an idea that had never truly entered his thoughts.
The previous five-star prospect had just played in 52 snaps heading into the Citrus Bowl. The bowl denoted the main game his family got to see him play significant snaps, and they were quick to welcome him after he procured his Citrus Bowl MVP.
“It was an extremely exceptional second for myself as well as my family,” Iamaleava said.
“It is their most memorable time having their child, or me, play at this world class school level. I think they were only pleased to see me go out there and play.”
Iamaleava had a directive for his colleagues on the field as he remained with the MVP belt, and it went a long ways past Setting up camp World Arena — the whole way to the highest point of school football.
Iamaleava wasn’t the main Vol to share a message about pursuing the public title following the success.
Sophomore guarded lineman Tire West has sufficiently seen to set the assumption for Iamaleava going into the 2024-25 season.
West was so certain, he said it two times with no dithering.
“We going to the natty,” West said. “Knowing him, we going to the natty.”
Composing Iamaleava and the Vols in for the 2024-25 public championship is probable too soon. The Citrus Bowl showed spots where the quarterback actually needs to move along.
Iamaleava took six sacks against Iowa’s heavy guard. A portion of those probably weren’t on him, similar to when a missed block on Iowa’s Jay Higgins considered a third-down sack. A large number of the sacks, however, were avoidable.
The first year recruit attempted to beat protectors when he ought to have selected to discard the ball or hit a check-down collector. There’s space to develop, and those issues don’t destine him for what’s in store.
“I accept he will be an extraordinary, powerful playmaker,” Heupel said. “I thought he took care of himself made the entire day. … Extraordinary to see a youthful person go out and act in that manner in his most memorable vocation start. There are a great deal of things that Nico can proceed to develop and will keep on filling in.”
His initial beginning conjured trust in colleagues, fans and, surprisingly, previous players. Hendon Whore took to X, previously known as Twitter, to voice his help of the green bean.
Whore composed that Iamaleava “is the anointed one.” Prostitute, alongside Joe Milton III, upheld Iamaleava since he showed up at Tennessee. Milton remained with the group subsequent to quitting the Citrus Bowl to help Iamaleava in his initial beginning.
“I think Hendon and Joe, when I originally arrived, they greeted me wholeheartedly, man,” Iamaleava said. “Better believe it, it senses great to get love from folks like that, folks that set this college at the standard it is at the present t
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