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4 hours ago
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Former Ohio State coach-turned-analyst Urban Meyer didn't hold back when discussing how the Nico Iamaleava's saga will be remembered.
Although Iamaleava has yet to throw a pass for the Bruins, Meyer took it further and said his career will ultimately be remembered for how he left the Tennessee Volunteers.
"I see Nico's the most famous story out there where ... this is going to be one of those deals a couple of years from now where they say, whether it be father, whether it be third uncle or whether it be an agent, 'Tell me again why I did that?'" Meyer asked on a recent edition of "The Triple Option" podcast.
Meyer said that, given where Iamaleava is in his life, it's next to impossible for him to comprehend the financial risk, much less the career risk he is taking.
"That's why they call parents, 'parents.' That's why they call coaches 'coaches.' Someone's got to advise and help them, someone that's been through the ringer a little bit. All of a sudden, you wake up one day and find yourself in a really bad situation and you're asking, 'What in the [expletive] did I do that for?'"
Iamaleava had a decent season last year in Knoxville despite the Volunteers losing to the eventual champion Ohio State Buckeyes 42-17 in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. Despite the changeover, Iamaleava was gracious with his exit.
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"To the amazing people in Knoxville, thank you for embracing and uplifting me throughout my time there," Iamaleava posted in April. "I’ll be forever thankful for the support you showed me every step of the way and I’ll always cherish the relationships I built there and the memories I created with my brothers. I believe with all my heart that I gave my all as a Volunteer. I’m truly grateful for the time I had at UT."
Despite it not panning out, Iamaleava will embark on a new journey in Westwood with a chance to prove Meyer and his other critics wrong.
For now, only time will tell.
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