Poll about Nico Iamaleava with one caveat

[Pride85]

If everything about Nico's trajectory here at UT was exactly the same as it has been, with one notable difference, how would you realistically feel about his play. Everyone was all about NIL and was jacked that he got a great deal to come here. I am very much against the current state of NIL ( and legal sportsbooks for that matter) because of the way it changes "fans" perspectives of the players and teams. If NIL was never a part of the equation and Nico was here with just a normal scholarship because he wanted to be coached by CJH, how would you honestly rate his development.

 

[Pride85]

Feel free to give any feedback as to why you rated how you did. Completely optional.

 

[WeeohdeeWood]

 

[barknoxbrawler]

He is right where you would expect him to be. NIL has over valued players in the fact that, the higher the value cash wise, the better the player. We have all seen that thinks not in some cases.

Take away NIL, and he is a talented 5 star who has struggled to make plays so far. There are only a few 5 stars qb’s who have started as freshman and lit the world on fire with their play as the vast majority are players learning new systems and their limits on the go.

 

[posivol]

he will be fine once the game slows down for him

 

[bigorangepoppa]

I really think it's still all about the fact that, as touted as he was as a recruit, he is just getting to play meaningful minutes now, starting with Iowa in the bowl game. As he gains more experience, the game will slow down for him, he won't lock on to one receiver, and he will be the QB everyone expected him to be. One thing that would help would be for the Oline to do a better job of protecting him, not looking up and have some defensive player in his face as soon as he gets the snap.

One example I can think is none other than Jalen Milroe. Look how he struggled early in the season last year. Looks a lot like Nico this year. But as the season went on, he started playing better. Now he is a dangerous QB that can take over a game. I really think Nico can be that same way, once he calms down and lets the game come to him. Moving him out of the pocket on roll outs, quick hitters across the middle, use the tight ends more in the passing game.

 

[Tarkus]

The Sports Source program compared his numbers with Peyton, Casey Clausen, and Tee Martin at the same point in their first year as a starter and they were all virtually identical. The other three had better offensive lines in front of them as well. The biggest difference was the elevated expectations.

 

[DEFENDTHISHOUSE]

If everything about Nico's trajectory here at UT was exactly the same as it has been, with one notable difference, how would you realistically feel about his play. Everyone was all about NIL and was jacked that he got a great deal to come here. I am very much against the current state of NIL ( and legal sportsbooks for that matter) because of the way it changes "fans" perspectives of the players and teams. If NIL was never a part of the equation and Nico was here with just a normal scholarship because he wanted to be coached by CJH, how would you honestly rate his development.

Let’s also take into account the tackle play has been atrocious this year. His clock has been sped up tremendously and that’s hampering his progress/development. He’s got all the tools, he just needs the offensive line to do their job.

 

[knoxvol52]

Sigh, here we go again.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

He's bout where I expected. Both myself, and some here smarter than I'll ever be, tried to tell he couldn't and wouldn't walk on water. That the hype served only to put a target on his back. Especially when SEC play began, and here we are. He'll get better when experience catches up with his raw talent.

 

[Cod]

He's a freshman with 6 games under his belt playing in the SEC

Leave him alone

 

[Illinoisvolfan2]

I’m afraid he’s going to struggle all year unless the OL play somehow magically improves significantly

 

[NATHAN05]

I really think it's still all about the fact that, as touted as he was as a recruit, he is just getting to play meaningful minutes now, starting with Iowa in the bowl game. As he gains more experience, the game will slow down for him, he won't lock on to one receiver, and he will be the QB everyone expected him to be. One thing that would help would be for the Oline to do a better job of protecting him, not looking up and have some defensive player in his face as soon as he gets the snap.

One example I can think is none other than Jalen Milroe. Look how he struggled early in the season last year. Looks a lot like Nico this year. But as the season went on, he started playing better. Now he is a dangerous QB that can take over a game. I really think Nico can be that same way, once he calms down and lets the game come to him. Moving him out of the pocket on roll outs, quick hitters across the middle, use the tight ends more in the passing game.

I agree with everything you said.......only thing I don't understand is why we don't do more quick slants, mesh, drag routes, etc across the middle. Especially in a passing down where defense is coming, ears pinned back......the middle seems to be consistently open on those little 4-7 or 8 yd dink and dunks. And with our WR ability you'd think they could really rack up some YAC yards..........not to mention extending drives like that would give our D a rest.

 

[17Vols]

he will be fine once the game slows down for him

And when the O-Line slows down the opposing pass rush

 

[Vol865]

About where I'd expect. NIL hasn't changed that much for me. We paid to get him for more than just this year. Gotta look bigger picture and take the emotion of how much money was involved and how that makes you feel out of it. Especially when it's not like everyone around him is doing their job well enough to pin it all on him.

 

[volgr]

He is closer to behind schedule than about right where he needs to be. He was brutal vs Florida and bad vs Arkansas. He is regressing which is concerning. Heupel needs to figure out how to get through to him because the kid is lost.

 

[bigorangepoppa]

I’m afraid he’s going to struggle all year unless the OL play somehow magically improves significantly

I know Heupel wants to go fast with the same personnel, so the defense doesn't have time to send in fresh players. However, I think he should sub out when someone like Heard isn't in good football shape yet. Tired means slow, which means a breakdown is more likely.

 

[adam.vol]

He's bout where I expected. Both myself, and some here smarter than I'll ever be, tried to tell he couldn't and wouldn't walk on water. That the hype served only to put a target on his back. Especially when SEC play began, and here we are. He'll get better when experience catches up with his raw talent.

He’s better than any first year starter we’ve had since Peyton, at least. Nico has a lot of room to improve, but he spent back to back games playing against a team that previously ran the same offense and another team which two former Vols played on. Florida was the first team that didn’t have inside information on our offense. Nico needs to get his confidence level back up and show us where he’s really at.

 

[Volador]

I agree with everything you said.......only thing I don't understand is why we don't do more quick slants, mesh, drag routes, etc across the middle. Especially in a passing down where defense is coming, ears pinned back......the middle seems to be consistently open on those little 4-7 or 8 dink and dunks. And with our WR ability you'd think they could really rack up some YAC yards..........not to mention extending drives like that would give our D a rest.

It is INSANE not to do this. Stop thinking the O Line is great and is gonna hold back the D. Two seconds and ball is out of Nico's hands. We have SOOOO many legitimate threats that on their own, can gain tons of yardage. If I was coach....., I would set a minimum of 5 tosses to Bru, Squirrel, Donte and perhaps one of two others. One, Two TOSS. Next!

 

[vol94fan]

Ahead. Not many redshirt freshmen have started for UT.

 

[VolZen]

I think Clausen and Ainge were better as true freshmen than Nico is currently. Nico was an early enrollee and has been on campus for close to 2 years now.

 

[savannahfan]

If everything about Nico's trajectory here at UT was exactly the same as it has been, with one notable difference, how would you realistically feel about his play. Everyone was all about NIL and was jacked that he got a great deal to come here. I am very much against the current state of NIL ( and legal sportsbooks for that matter) because of the way it changes "fans" perspectives of the players and teams. If NIL was never a part of the equation and Nico was here with just a normal scholarship because he wanted to be coached by CJH, how would you honestly rate his development.

The problem here is, he is not a regular scholarship guy. He is a hired player/employee (which ever you like). If you hire someone to do a job, and after a reasonable time they do not preform up to expectations, you usually find a legal way to let them go. This is where we are with Nico. When is enough time? As with any employee, you can tell them of your concerns to let them know where they stand. This is where Nico is with many fans. Sorry for this hard explanation, but this is the world that has been created. As again with Nico, when does the staff get enough?

 

[Tenacjim]

I think Clausen and Ainge were better as true freshmen than Nico is currently. Nico was an early enrollee and has been on campus for close to 2 years now.

I voted “right about where you would expect him to be”.

Playing those early cupcakes and overrated NCSU didn’t really help him and may be hurting him some as he faces the reality of SEC defenses.

All that said, I really wish people would quit comparing his stats to other Freshmen QBs (particularly Manning) to make themselves feel better. Like VolZen points out, Nico is an early enrollee who has been on campus almost 2 years now. He has gone through 2 Spring Practices, 2 Fall camps and bowl practice. He has been taking QB1 reps since Bowl practice last year. He has been in meetings, the strength and conditioning program and nutrition program for nearly 2 years. Not least of all he is 20 years old and has matured and bulked up since he arrived on campus. The technicality that now (unlike when PM played) you can play in 5 games and still redshirt doesn’t eliminate all those experiences and “reset reality” that Nico is a freshmen just like those guys.

Yes, he compares favorably to PM’s true freshman year. PM had gone through Fall camp taking 3rd string reps. He was a skinny 18 year old who had been on campus a few weeks when he was given the job. Even then, he split time with Branndon Stewart even through the Bowl game. Yes, he had a MUCH better offensive line. But the team also ran the ball 2 to 3 times as much as it threw the ball. In the bowl game against VT, Manning attempted 18 passes. The team rushed 47 times. Many of his games went that way (much like we saw against OK this year).

There is no real “apples to apples” comparison. The closest to being “fair” (PM having more live game experience vs Nico’s total time in the system plus being a full year older) would be to compare their second year in the program. That comparison won’t be close and isn’t really fair to Nico.

I know it makes people feel better to look at those numbers but without context and all the variables considered, they really mean nothing. Let’s just let Nico be Nico and see where it takes us.

 

[GulfCoasterVol]

Arch at Tex-ass is apparently way ahead of schedule.

 

[calban]

With this oline and the play calling mostly because of it, he's fortunate to be as successful as he has been.. I expected more from him but I didn't expect our oline to be so bad.