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

#76
#76
Nico will be gone after this season. Either he will have a breakout year and declare for the draft or he'll have a mediocre season and transfer. Hopefully we see him in an NFL uniform in '26.
I'm not seeing him going pro after next season regardless how good next season goes. Realistically he's going to hit the transfer portal after next year. There's certainly is a large group of folks here on VN that think he hung the moon. I am not one of that crowd. I don't think he's stank up the place but I definitely don't think that he put on a steller performance this year. Realistically he has another mediocre year like he did this year and then leave. If he's not killing it by the end of next season, then he is a bust and is not worth the money.
 
#77
#77
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.

Comparing QB's of entirely different eras is apples and oranges. In the '90's CFB was still an old school run-based game with primarily pocket QB's. You had some mobile QB's, but they were still a novelty at that point. Peyton played in an entirely different system and had NFL level backs, offensive line play, and receivers.

Heupel's offense couldn't be further removed from Cutcliffe's, and the same with the CJH and CPF coaching styles. Different game, different time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MemphisVol77
#78
#78
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.

if he is still here in 2026, then expect one or two, two likely, of his backups to be elsewhere.. (Merk, Mac and Frazier)
 
#80
#80
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..
Maybe, but nothing says NFL about Nico at this point.
The Anthony Richardson and Will Levis point is well made. The NFL makes some crazy wagers on QBs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigOrangeTrain
#81
#81
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..
A slight improvement and he is a top 10 pick? No way. Not even close. Now let’s say he goes for 3500+, 68%, 35 TDs and 5 picks maybe he is a top 10 pick. But he will have to have a significant improvement in production.
 
#83
#83
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
Agree, I think Nico will do great things, but have a feeling that Faizon fits what JH wants to do on offense with a true dual threat...like Hooker. Think w/ Nico and QB room in good shape for next few years. We're in much better shape than most.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Just a VolinTears
#84
#84
A slight improvement and he is a top 10 pick? No way. Not even close. Now let’s say he goes for 3500+, 68%, 35 TDs and 5 picks maybe he is a top 10 pick. But he will have to have a significant improvement in production.
He would be the #1 overall pick if that were to happen. He has alot of draft value based purely off of his potential. Teams will take the risk with moderate production. But agree to disagree
 
#86
#86
We were spoiled by Hooker... and somewhat by Milton. Our offense struggled this year. Hooker was racking up 20 points in every first quarter it seemed. This year we went complete first halves without scoring. If Nico is planning on leaving, he better light it up this year.
 
#87
#87
1. It was the plan for him to play 2 years and be gone.
2. It’s not written in stone.
3. People are undervaluing his play this past season. He was good for a redshirt freshman with little oline protection and lack of WRs.
4. Look how some NFL GMs draft, they want a player with tools over proven production sometimes anyways.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MemphisVol77
#89
#89
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
Why are you just assuming Fazion will just walk in and be better than GMac or Merk?
 
#90
#90
We were spoiled by Hooker... and somewhat by Milton. Our offense struggled this year. Hooker was racking up 20 points in every first quarter it seemed. This year we went complete first halves without scoring. If Nico is planning on leaving, he better light it up this year.
Was Hooker a RS FR or a RS SR?
 
#93
#93
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..
Slight improvement???
 
#95
#95
I've watched them all play. And Faizon performed better against better competition than Gmac. Gmac was playing weaker HS opponents. But then again it's very hard to predict
GMac has the prettiest deepball i have seen from a High School recruit in a while. I hope the kid can put it together once he is here.
 
#97
#97
Imo, he is gone after this season either way.

He either performs up to his NIL and has a Heisman caliber season and goes to the draft or he has another decent season, like this past season, and his camp pushes him to transfer to another school for his final season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAVPUT
#99
#99
1. It was the plan for him to play 2 years and be gone.
2. It’s not written in stone.
3. People are undervaluing his play this past season. He was good for a redshirt freshman with little oline protection and lack of WRs.
4. Look how some NFL GMs draft, they want a player with tools over proven production sometimes anyways.
I wonder if your #3 is giving him way too much credit. Have you watched any season offensive breakdown footage? I keep on hearing complaining about offensive coaching. It's the same offense that Hooker was in. He missed a ton of wide open receivers. Part of this was due to poor pass protection and the other was 100% on Nico. John Campbell was an average OT at best, but it's hard to have a defensive player disengage and not get called for holding when the QB scrambles outside. Some of this is unavoidable, but some of this can be remedied when the QB is able to step up in the pocket. He is a Redshirt Fr. but his intangibles are so far off from being elite. Of course this all can be corrected.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NEO

VN Store



Back
Top