With experience at all offensive positions, sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava is ready to lead.
This was the year that the NCAA ruled—decades late, by any measure— that schools could pay athletes. For decades our friends and neighbors in all their wisdom have assured us that paying big-time college athletes would end civilization as we know it, using words like “the purity of amateur sports,” even as schools kept adding zeros to coaches’ salaries.
Despite all the warnings, nothing has happened, at least as far as players are concerned. What has been happening for a few years now is that greedy big-time schools have abandoned hallowed conferences like the Pac-10 to go for big TV money.
So, this year we in the SEC welcome Texas and Oklahoma. On September 21, the Vols journey to Soonerville, where our coach Josh Heupel quarterbacked his team to an undefeated national championship and a Heisman runner-up, and where he was an assistant coach and offensive coordinator, until his boss Stoops (nobody can remember which one) sacrificed him, Abraham-and-Isaac style, in 2014. The generally understated Heupel will assure us that there is no emotion associated with this homecoming. It is a game like all the others, etc. etc.
This is Heupel’s fourth season at UT. The fourth is often a year of stability for coaches, and that’s what it looks like for Heupel. AT UT Media Day, he mentioned “all the things we had to navigate. There were speed bumps that we inherited” when he first arrived, gifts from the bad deeds of the fired coach (whose name no one can remember). “Those are behind us,” said Heupel.
The Vols’ five-star Californian sophomore quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, waited patiently behind Joe Milton last year. He was the MVP of a 35-0 win over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl in his first and only start, completing 12 of 19 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown while rushing 15 times for 27 yards and three TDs. At Media Day, Offensive Coordinator Joey Halzle said, “My favorite thing was that, for all the accolades that he got after that game, his MVP and the touchdowns, he came out of it saying, ‘Man, I left so much on the field.’ He has absolutely attacked the knowledge side of this, which is not something that we force him to do. He dove into the films to see how he can best maximize all his opportunities and dive into the intricacies of why we’re doing certain things.”
“That is definitely where I progressed,” said Nico, “why we do certain things, why we motion, and why tempo is important. Just things like that. Joe [Milton] was a great guy to learn from—why we do some things. So much I learned from him: how you show up in the building. Learning how to lead. Year two is something I’ve envisioned since coming here. Year two was going to be my year, go-time for me, and I’m ready.”
Iamaleava (pronounced “ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va”) comes from Long Beach, California. He is of Samoan descent, one of eight children in an athletic family. His cousin Zaida Puni plays third base for the Lady Vols softball team. “When it comes to Samoans,” Puni once said, “we’re all connected somehow.”
Nico is 6’6” and thin-as-a-rail 215 pounds, up from 190 when he first arrived in Knoxville. “I burn a lot of calories easily,” he said at Media Day. To keep the weight on, he eats four meals a day, focusing on a breakfast of French toast, eggs, and sausage.
At all times, he comes across as chill. “He’s pretty calm,” said receiver Squirrel White, “very calm.” At Media Day, Nico talked about handling fame, as in kids asking for autographs in restaurants. “I’ve come from humble beginnings,” he said, “so I know what it is to look up to someone. My dad and mom always kept me in check.” In games that means not responding to trash talk, as in, “’Don’t let the other guy get under your skin.’ It’s about staying true to myself.”
Now Nico is all set to direct an offense with veteran line, an explosive running back, and a speedy, experienced receiver corps—“the deepest wide receiver group we’ve ever had,” according to Heupel. “We’ve got so many different guys who can make plays,” agreed White, who has changed his number from 10 to 3, explaining, “Three is my dad’s favorite number, and I’m the third son.” White has also become a father. “After I score, I wanna be able to lay my eyes on him and give him a kiss,” he said.
Last year was Halzle’s first as offensive coordinator after moving up from quarterbacks coach. Milton had difficult moments when new receivers hadn’t quite picked up the Heupel system and didn’t seem to know where to run. Not so for Squirrel White. There were games when Milton targeted White nine times for nine receptions. Milton was also finding Bru McCoy until McCoy’s hard-to-watch ankle break. But other talented and speedy receivers seemed to have trouble getting open and, mysteriously, dropped balls that hit them in the hands. “We were a step off, for whatever reason,” admitted Halzle at Media Day. “The answer for this year is we want to see everyone come out and cut it loose, ‘cause that’s where the big plays come from. This year they’ve got to let it rip at 100 miles per hour.”
At the same time, Halzle said, “Our biggest area of growth is that we are a tempo team and we use that as a weapon to gain advantage, but if you don’t feel you’re in the right call based on the look that you have, don’t feel that you’re handcuffed to it. Situationally, when does it make sense to get away from it?”
Running back Dylan Sampson—a junior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the fastest person on the team other than Squirrel White—-likes to look at inspirational posters and sayings. His favorite poem is “The Rose That Grew from Concrete” by Tupac Shakur.
Last year Sampson was part of a productive trio. As the main ball carrier in the Citrus Bowl he gained 133 yards on 20 carries. He was also a member of the VOLeaders Academy group that visited South Africa last summer. “He is explosive,” said Halzle, “and he has put on a bunch of weight in a positive way.”
Wide Receivers Coach Kelsey Pope has said to his deep and talented group, “Be a dog when you step on the field.” Bru McCoy was a tough dog before his ankle-snapping twist and Ace Hardware surgery, and now he’s come back. “It’s absolutely insane what that kid did this offseason,” said Halzle. “That injury, we all saw it. The fact that that kid is going out there running full speed and making cuts and making catches is amazing. He still looks like a superhero when he walks around here. It’s amazing in every aspect. The guy is just an absolute animal in every aspect of his strength training, his conditioning, his rehab, his football knowledge. He just attacks it all in the same way.”
Sophomore Chris Brazzell II, a freshman All-America from Midland, Texas, transferred from Tulane in January. Big (6’5”, 200 pounds) and fast, he caught 44 passes for 711 yards, 10th best in the nation, with a 16.2-yard average. “Chris brings a lot,” said Nico.
Oregon transfer Dont’e Thornton Jr. (6’5”, 214 pounds) was getting into the groove of the offense when he injured his ankle catching a 46-yard TD pass against Missouri.
“Chas Nimrod is a name you guys need to know.,” said White. “He’s not getting a lot of talk, but you’re hearing me say it. You’ve heard me say it for the last several weeks: I really like his game.”
Sophomore Miles Kitselman, transfer from Alabama, will split time with Ethan Davis at tight end.
The offensive line is led by senior Cooper Mays, who will be Nico’s best friend in setting the tempo. Tackle John Campbell Jr. has come back for his eighth year of college football after transferring from Miami last year and switched from the right side to the left. Right guard Javontez Spraggins will balance 6’6”, 314-pound left guard Andrej Karic, transferred from Texas last year and started four games until he was injured. Right tackle transfer Lance Heard from LSU “has a great ceiling in front of him,” according to Heupel. “I love the camaraderie,” said Spraggins at Media Day. “We’re brothers. We love each other.”
‘Grandpa’ Leads the Defense
“The middle linebacker is the quarterback of the defense,” said Jeremiah Telander (pronounced TEE-lander) at Media Day. “That’s what drives the bus.” Sixth-year senior Keenan Pili, the BYU transfer who was injured early in last year’s season opener, is back at MLB. “He’s really smart,” said Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks at Media Day. “A tough kid, always trying to do things the right way.” It’s strange to hear Banks refer to Keenan as a kid. His teammates call him “Grandpa.”
“He’s 26. I’m 19,” said Telander. “If you think in all aspects in life, he helps me understand how to take care of yourself, the right films to watch.” Banks tends to switch defenders in and out, so Telander will see plenty of action. “My confidence has shot through the roof,” said Telander. “I’ve been working on my pass rush technique. Maybe make some sacks.”
Sophomore Arion Carter will also be in the linebacker mix. “The element that he has, that is something that you can’t coach, is his speed and quickness,” said Linebackers Coach William Inge to Dan Harralson of VolsWire. “He’s elusive on the field, almost like a cheetah.” “He’s hungry,” agreed Telander. “He’s ready to go out and hit somebody.” Telander also likes watching the defensive linemen do their thing. “We’ve got some freaks in that group,” said Telander. “We got all the talent in the world.”
Chief among the freaks is 6’5”, 243-pound junior edge rusher James Pearce Jr., a preseason All-America and projected No. 1 NFL draft pick. “A great playmaker,” said Heupel, “he has the ability to affect the game.” He made 10 sacks last year and intercepted a pass in the Citrus Bowl and ran it 52 yards for a touchdown.” Pearce will get help from freshman Jordan Ross, a 6’5”, 245-pound five-star recruit from Vestavia Hills, Alabama. “We’re super excited about Jordan,” said Banks. “The biggest thing is his size. Our weight program has done a great job; stronger learner. He doesn’t say a ton.”
The media guide reports that edge rusher Joshua Josephs “has a verified 82-inch wingspan.” Telander describes Caleb Herring, yet another edge rusher, as “a freak athlete.”
Senior Omari Thomas returns at defensive tackle, as do Bryson Eason, Omarr Norman-Lott, and 6’2”, 340-pound Elijah Simmons. In 2019 a video of Simmons dunking a basketball then making a full court basket went viral.
UT’s fifth defensive back, or STAR, is part safety and part cornerback. “We ask them to do a lot,” said Banks at Media Day. “They’ve got to be great blitzers.” With a season-ending injury to Jourdan Thomas in the first days of camp, freshman Boo Carter from Chattanooga will get his chances in the defensive backfield, along with four key transfers.
At cornerback, Oregon State transfer Jermod McCoy and Temple transfer Jalen McMurray will join sophomore Rickey Gibson III. At safety, MTSU transfer Jakobe Thomas will join Andrew Turrentine, who transferred from Ohio State before last season and started the last three games, and junior Christian Charles, who was injured last year.
As the Tennessee Volunteers prepare to charge into a new season, all the pieces seem to be falling into place. Nico Iamaleava, with his cool confidence and growing leadership, is ready to take the reins of an offense loaded with playmakers. Supported by a resilient defense and a coaching staff determined to build on past successes, the Vols are poised to make a significant impact in the SEC. With Nico at the helm, the stage is set for an exciting season where Tennessee can prove they belong among college football’s elite.