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Evaluating Tennessee football’s 2023 class at dead period: QBs

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers player holds their helmet along the sidelines during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers player holds their helmet along the sidelines during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Commitments for 2023

Nico Iamaleava 

  • Five-star (Rivals, 247Sports, On3); Four-star (ESPN)
  • 6’5″-6’6″; 195-205 lbs
  • Long Beach, Calif.; Poly High School

So far Tennessee football’s only commitment, Nico Iamaleava is the most high-profile star in the Vols’ recruiting class. Rumors are that an NIL deal worth about $8 million lured Iamaleava to Rocky Top, but that’s legal now, so it shouldn’t matter. The fact is Iamaleava is expected to be an immediate superstar at the next level.

This pickup was huge since it became clear late last year that the Vols wouldn’t be in the running for Arch Manning, who ended up committing to the Texas Longhorns. Still, given his track record, Heupel was bound to secure a commitment from at least one high-profile quarterback, and he got Iamaleava out of Southern California.

The Los Angeles County kid is considered a pro-style quarterback, but he has just enough mobility to make an impact as well. That’s the perfect type of player for Heupel’s system, which does rely a bit on just the threat of being able to run when it comes to quarterbacks.

Assuming he stays committed, Iamaleava will have some competition when he arrives next year. There’s a bit of an expectation that he’ll win the job immediately, but nobody can bank on that just yet. That’s all good news for the Vols, though, which we’ll get to later. What’s clear, though, is that Iamaleava really helps Heupel’s situation for the future.

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