Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been recognized as a top-10 quarterback in college football.
Last season, the Tennessee Volunteers made program history by reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time. Leading the way was Iamaleava, who stepped into the starting role for the first time in his career. Although the season didn’t conclude as the team had hoped, his return has generated optimism for the 2025 campaign.
Like most first-year starters, Iamaleava experienced ups and downs, but his talent and potential were evident throughout the season. The former five-star recruit consistently displayed why he was so highly rated coming out of high school and is expected to make significant strides this year.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, with input from college football coaches, ranked Iamaleava No. 8 in his list of the top 15 college quarterbacks. He was placed ahead of Arch Manning but ranked behind fellow SEC quarterbacks DJ Lagway and LaNorris Sellers.
Rittenberg highlighted Iamaleava’s impact in his first year, noting:
“Tennessee’s first major quarterback recruit of the NIL era helped lead the Vols to the CFP in his first season as a starter. After an explosive start in the opening two games, his passing production dipped midseason, failing to surpass 200 yards in five of his first six SEC matchups. However, he closed the regular season with back-to-back four-touchdown performances and remained a strong runner. Iamaleava showcased his toughness while leading an offense with clear limitations and possesses an exciting combination of size and athleticism. Expect him to flourish in Year 2.”
An SEC coach also shared thoughts on Iamaleava’s potential:
“He’s still young and learning, but he’s got the tools. He can extend plays with his legs and has a strong, live arm. I expect him to take a big step forward.”
Another SEC coach pointed out what makes him so challenging to defend:
“People don’t realize how big he is. He’s got a powerful arm and runs much better than most think. His size makes it hard to gauge his speed.”
While Tennessee faces some roster uncertainties heading into the season, one thing is certain—the Volunteers will have high-level quarterback play with Iamaleava leading the way.
