Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava slighted for over-relying on fellow Vols football star in Josh Heupel’s offense

Nico Iamaleava led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff in his first year running the offense, but the disappointing fashion they were eliminated by eventual national champion Ohio State has shone a negative light on the Volunteers QB and head coach Josh Heupel.

Iamaleava was slighted by Inside Texas’ Ian Boyd as a play-caller whose best plays were handing the ball off to star running back Dylan Sampson.

Boyd listed Iamaleava at No. 10 in his college football QB rankings.

“Iamaleava could make a huge jump this offseason, but last year demonstrated two things. First, that he hasn’t mastered game management unless that mostly consists of handing the ball to Dylan Sampson. Second, that the Veer and Shoot isn’t necessarily creating easy reads and offense like it used to as defenses start to catch up to its secrets,” Boyd wrote.

Was it Iamaleava or Heupel’s fault for Tennessee’s underwhelming offensive performance against the Buckeyes in the CFP?

247 Sports’ Cody Nagel sees Heupel’s handling of Iamaleava as the reason the Volunteers aren’t a more serious contender.

“Tennessee has accumulated 30 combined wins over the past three seasons under Josh Heupel, so it is not as if the Volunteers would be a surprise contender if they make noise again in 2025. However, competing for an SEC title and making a deeper run in the College Football Playoff would certainly be considered a flash of brilliance. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava did not meet lofty expectations in 2024 with a one-dimensional offense. If Tennessee is able to get some additional help around him, there is reason to believe the Big Orange could emerge as a serious national contender,” Nagel wrote.

Iamaleava will look to develop under Heupel and Joey Halzle, but his case won’t be helped by all the Volunteers’ recruiting losses at skill positions this offseason.

Luckily, loading up around Iamaleava is the game plan during the April transfer portal cycle. Perhaps giving him the help he needs will boost Iamaleava up QB rankings heading into and during the 2025 season.