Why does it seem to be a foregone conclusion that Nico is gone after '25

#1
VawlDave

VawlDave

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#1
I'm genuinely asking. I hear this statement a lot. It's possible that may end up being the case but, as things stand, it's nothing close to certain. Given his performance this season he hasn't shown enough to draw serious NFL interest. Even if he has a decent year next year I still don't think that's enough to make him a serious NFL prospect. Might he test the portal after next season given the circus it's become? Maybe. Or maybe he decides to stay another year at the school that's done the most for him, continues making a ton of money playing college ball, and establishes himself as one of the most experienced QBs of the conference by that time. I'm genuinely curious as to how you guys see this. Personally, I have no agenda and I'm not necessarily hoping for any particular outcome. I just want the players that give us the best chance to win to play. If that's Nico, cool. If not, then bring in the guy that's proven to be better.
 
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#2
#2
VawlDave said:
I'm genuinely asking. I hear this statement a lot. It's possible that may end up being the case but, as things stand, it's nothing close to certain. Given his performance this season he hasn't shown enough to draw serious NFL interest. Even if he has a decent year next year I still don't think that's enough to make him a serious NFL prospect. Might he test the portal after next season given the circus it's become? Maybe. Or maybe he decides to stay another year at the school that's done the most for him, continues making a ton of money playing college ball, and establishes himself as one of the most experienced QBs of the conference by that time. I'm genuinely curious as to how you guys see this. Personally, I have no agenda and I'm not necessarily hoping for any particular outcome. I just want the players that give us the best chance to win to play. If that's Nico, cool. If not, then bring in the guy that's proven to be better.
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Me personally, I don't see it as a guarantee he leaves or even a possibility that he does. Unless he takes a huge step in year 2, (which is possible(, I doubt he leaves until 26. If he has a Hendon Hooker type year, then that changes things.
 
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#4
#4
He will either take an enormous step and leave early for the NFL, or he transfers to another school after this year imo. Meeting with other schools midseason this year doesn’t speak to any sort of commitment to the school, and if he doesn’t get a lot better this year, he will likely leave due to not developing the way he thought and chatter from the fanbase. If he does get a lot better, then he is NFL bound.
 
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#6
#6
We have one highly rated QB in house now and a supposedly elite QB committed. IMO, if Nico comes back after next season we probably lose one or both of them. I guess it depends on how good next season is. If the NFL comes calling he will go. If not, based on the fact that his family held the university hostage for more $ for next season, it may be best for him to move on after next year.

Good debate question but no real answers for now.
 
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#9
#9
Just a VolinTears said:
Faizon Brandon is coming in and if Nico doesn't take several steps forward this season, Nico will be in danger of losing his starting role to Faizon. From what I've seen, Faizon looks like a true dynamite prospect
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What makes you think this. He will be the senior QB on the roster he will stay the starter bar injury
 
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#10
#10
Because most draft boards have him as as first round pick for '26 and some even in the top 5. He would have to be epically bad this coming season or at least demonstrate that he's not progressing at all to fall out of first round contention.

But as others have said if he doesn't excel, it's hard to imagine him coming back with at least two other 5-star QB's on the roster. It's difficult to see him returning in '26 unless he just pulls a Peyton. Plays well, likes the college experience, and wants to do it again. I don't know him and not sure what his preferences are, but from a pure speculative point of view it's difficult to see him on the roster next year.
 
#14
#14
LegionnaireOfTheMiserable said:
He will either take an enormous step and leave early for the NFL, or he transfers to another school after this year imo. Meeting with other schools midseason this year doesn’t speak to any sort of commitment to the school, and if he doesn’t get a lot better this year, he will likely leave due to not developing the way he thought and chatter from the fanbase. If he does get a lot better, then he is NFL bound.
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That’s if you’re buying manufactured bull at these prices.
 
#15
#15
Peyton Manning's Statistics:

1736961083703.png

Nico Iamaleava's Statistics:

1736961245271.png

While I agree that Nico's year seemed to be less than stellar, when you compare Nico's 2024 year to Peyton's 1995 year the results are similar. Nico played 2 more games in 2024 than Peyton did in 1995. But the averages are not that far off.

Nico's play doesn't give me the same feeling that I had watching Peyton play. However, the numbers make me pause and gives me hope that Nico can perform. I will say Peyton had a much better offensive line in front of him throughout his career compared to what Nico has this year. The future will tell.
 
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#17
#17
Best outcome: he goes to the NFL
Worst outcome: he transfers to another SEC or B1G school

Middle of the road: he transfers to the ACC to get as much good tape as he can or he stays here for another year after next season.

I think we only have one more year with him no matter what. His goal has been to get into the NFL, and after 3 years (2 starting) at Tennessee if he doesn't achieve that goal, he will probably go elsewhere to do it. His family was flirting with Oregon and Miami during this last season, so we know they are going to push him to leave. Not a foregone conclusion, but it is easy to speculate based on what has leaked out.

We will have Merk, GMac, then Faizon coming in too. If he hasn't blossomed by next year, then Heupel my cut him loose too.
 
#18
#18
VawlDave said:
I'm genuinely asking. I hear this statement a lot. It's possible that may end up being the case but, as things stand, it's nothing close to certain. Given his performance this season he hasn't shown enough to draw serious NFL interest. Even if he has a decent year next year I still don't think that's enough to make him a serious NFL prospect. Might he test the portal after next season given the circus it's become? Maybe. Or maybe he decides to stay another year at the school that's done the most for him, continues making a ton of money playing college ball, and establishes himself as one of the most experienced QBs of the conference by that time. I'm genuinely curious as to how you guys see this. Personally, I have no agenda and I'm not necessarily hoping for any particular outcome. I just want the players that give us the best chance to win to play. If that's Nico, cool. If not, then bring in the guy that's proven to be better.
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After he and his parents shopped around after the end of the season leading up to the OSU game, don't be surprised if he's told to leave. 😉
 
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#20
#20
VawlDave said:
I'm genuinely asking. I hear this statement a lot. It's possible that may end up being the case but, as things stand, it's nothing close to certain. Given his performance this season he hasn't shown enough to draw serious NFL interest. Even if he has a decent year next year I still don't think that's enough to make him a serious NFL prospect. Might he test the portal after next season given the circus it's become? Maybe. Or maybe he decides to stay another year at the school that's done the most for him, continues making a ton of money playing college ball, and establishes himself as one of the most experienced QBs of the conference by that time. I'm genuinely curious as to how you guys see this. Personally, I have no agenda and I'm not necessarily hoping for any particular outcome. I just want the players that give us the best chance to win to play. If that's Nico, cool. If not, then bring in the guy that's proven to be better.
Click to expand...
National Championshop QBs always go pro after their NC season, if they are elgible...
 
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#23
#23
butchna said:
That’s if you’re buying manufactured bull at these prices.
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Even if you want to say it’s BS about him meeting with other teams, the bottom line is someone in his position didn’t come here to still be slotted as a low pick after 3 years. And if he isn’t playing any better than that, I imagine the noise from the fanbase will get very loud and very critical.
 
#24
#24
Halph66 said:
Peyton Manning's Statistics:

View attachment 714761

Nico Iamaleava's Statistics:

View attachment 714762

While I agree that Nico's year seemed to be less than stellar, when you compare Nico's 2024 year to Peyton's 1995 year the results are similar. Nico played 2 more games in 2024 than Peyton did in 1995. But the averages are not that far off.

Nico's play doesn't give me the same feeling that I had watching Peyton play. However, the numbers make me pause and gives me hope that Nico can perform. I will say Peyton had a much better offensive line in front of him throughout his career compared to what Nico has this year. The future will tell.
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Comparing raw numbers 30 years apart is incredibly misleading. Compare Peyton to his peers in 95 and Nico to his peers last year. Peyton was top 10 in the country and top 3 in the SEC in virtually every stat in 1995. Nico was middle of the pack at best in every stat among SEC quarterbacks and never sniffed national leaderboards in any stat last year.
 
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#25
#25
As long as Nico has a slight improvement to his performance this next year, he will be a top 10 pick. Just gotta connect on a few more deep balls and maybe show off his mobility a bit more. A little extra weight wouldn't hurt either.

The NFL will be enamored by him simply becuase of his high ceiling potential. He stands tall in the pocket and can throw a great spiral. He has the ability to be a dual threat QB. I've seen many QBs climb up the draft boards that had no business too based off of potential - Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, JJ McCarthy, Daniel Jones, Dwayne Haskins, etc..
 
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