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

#51
#51
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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He may lose it to one of the two other QBs we have if he doesn’t improve. He now has competition and more coming in 2026. Produce or move on.
 
#52
#52
Okie said:
Sorry if already discussed, but how much do first round QBs make in the NFL? Probably more than NIL, but I don't know. Even if it is close to what he's making/can get a raise for in NIL, it gets him one year faster to being out of the NFL rookie salary limits.

But, he would have to be really good - NFL level good - to make the most of it. The landscape is littered with former 5star QBs in college who have not been successful in the NFL. The math probably works in his favor to go as far as $ are concerned, but success isn't a given.

It's funny to watch this whole QB thing across multiple schools. texus fans just knew that Ewers was going to lead them to multiple NCs. Now, they are jumping for joy that he's decided to go to the NFL so that Arch Manning can lead them to multiple NCs. Ditto, several other schools. Crazy.
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It's that way at the pro level except the draft skews things by letting lousy teams get talent.

Jaguar fans thought Lawrence would make them turn things around. The Jets thought Rodgers was going to save them. I daresay UT fans thought Nico would be even better than Hooker.

Death and taxes. The only sure things.
 
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#54
#54
farmdogvol said:
Sellers did not look good in their bowl game. He was inaccurate on quite a few throws. Nico would have won that bowl game with the way he played in the playoff game..
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Agree Sellers did stink it up in the Bowl game, I think Carolina fans were amped, and I could see why until that Bowl performance. I think everyone had USC being real good next year, I saw a way to early SEC ranking and SC was ahead of us. Like so many teams it will depend on whether their QB over performs and makes the O line look better than they are as well as throwing receiver open instead of throwing behind or over. It's a QB driven game no doubt.
Usually when a SEC team has a above average year their on our schedule but we don't have the bumbling Beamers next year.
 
#55
#55
KTrain said:
Like Nico he didn't start and was co 3rd string and took over as starter mid-season due to injury to Colquitt and Todd Helton quitting to concentrate on baseball (great decision) after he and Brandon Stewart another 5-star QB shared reps a few games. So, Nico & Peytons true Freshman years were both abbreviated, Peyton per Cutcliffe was basically a game manager as a true freshman.
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I forgot about Todd Helton, that quitter.
 
#57
#57
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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I think I fell into the trap of believing that only superstars could grab the kind of cash that Nico pulled down. Truth is, he had an average to below average year. I know he was a red shirt freshman but if his performance next season is not dramatically better, I'm willing to say we overpaid for a bust and it's time to do something different. You can't squander whatever momentum this program has left.
 
#59
#59
He's not where everyone thought he'd be in this offense. Vols will have to get their points a different way next year, no Dylan Sampson to lean on. It's going to be put up or shut up time.
 
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#60
#60
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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He could, of course, hit the portal after this season if things don't go well with the offense. Frankly, unless Heupel nails the portal and Ellarbee's coaching/evals have improved exponentially, I can see Nico and Co. being frustrated with what the staff has surrounded him with and he'd move to perceived greener pastures for his junior campaign. Personally, I think odds are that it's exactly what happens.
 
#61
#61
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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I think Peyton came here for two reasons, coach Cutt ,and Fulmers teams were loaded with talent.

I think Nico came here for other reasons
 
#62
#62
CAVPUT said:
He could, of course, hit the portal after this season if things don't go well with the offense. Frankly, unless Heupel nails the portal and Ellarbee's coaching/evals have improved exponentially, I can see Nico and Co. being frustrated with what the staff has surrounded him with and he'd move to perceived greener pastures for his junior campaign. Personally, I think odds are that it's exactly what happens.
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I think the odds are pretty good he isn't here in 2026 but the NFL seems unlikely right not. If his parents fleeced more money out of Tennessee this year to stay, if it doesn't look worlds better next year it may be mutual at that point..
 
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#63
#63
How do you sit an 8 million dollar man?
He would have to be horrible, injured, NFL bound or in the portal.
Hype has shown his hand already. He's not sitting his choice of starter at QB.
 
#65
#65
Zues1 said:
How do you sit an 8 million dollar man?
He would have to be horrible, injured, NFL bound or in the portal.
Hype has shown his hand already. He's not sitting his choice of starter at QB.
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It’s not Heupel’s money. Nico’s potential is insane, he just has to see the field better. Second year things will slow down a bit, with any luck he will get a little better pass protection and a little better production out of the WRs.

I think he will start but if he doesn’t perform I think Heupel will pull him. I say that as a huge fan of Nico and one that believes he’s going to be an all time great TN QB when it’s all said and done. I don’t see Heupel caring about the NIL money though.
 
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#69
#69
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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I’d say that’s accurate and also the case for most of these guys in college football.
 
#70
#70
If he’s not going Pro I don’t see him staying here the way the last few weeks unfolded.
 
#71
#71
uncle chewii said:
Right but it’s usually called the sophomore slump instead of the sophomore bump.
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Maybe in the NFL. In college, the majority of players make their biggest strides in their second season of regular playing time.
 
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#74
#74
Quinn Evers is a prospect who Evers with at least will not work out.Nico is already as good as Evers and has at least one more season to play in college.Have the Titans pick Evers and they will have two non-worthy qb's.
 
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