Lot of talk around town about Nico. Not so much about his last name, Iamaleava. Could be EE-ah-mah-LEE-ah-vah or something like that. Bob Kesling is working on it.
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If current circumstances hold steady for eight months and a few extra days, Tennessee will sign the most famous quarterback it has ever recruited.
Five-star Nicholaus Iamaleava says he will, indeed, be a Volunteer. He is committed. He is the No. 3 or 4 prep prospect in the country, up a notch or three from the splash Peyton Manning and Heath Shuler made in high school.
Nico, from Downey, Calif., now plays at Long Beach Polytech. He is an outstanding athlete, 6-5 and 205, a passer, runner and leader in football and simply spectacular in volleyball.
Nico Iamaleava (Photo by John W. Davis / Long Beach Press-Telegram)
Iamaleava says he chose Tennessee football in part because of Josh Heupel’s success at developing quarterbacks. And it was easy to talk with Joey Halzle, official quarterback coach when Heupel is doing something else. Keen guy and two are better than one when they speak the same language.
Nico’s father, another Nicholaus, says there are a lot of reasons to be a Volunteer.
“The family vibe, atmosphere, the culture” were very influential.
The Iamaleavas are a tight-knit, disciplined Samoan family. Father and son agreed that having “Mom” along on the most recent visit made a wonderful difference in the commitment experience.
She was very impressed to see “We want Nico” painted on the historic campus Rock. She was awed by the “We want Nico” serenade by UT students at the Arkansas basketball game.
She met coaches’ wives and they left her with confidence that they would look after her boy.
“The atmosphere in Knoxville is crazy,” Marleinna said. “I don’t even know if there is a word for it. Everywhere we went, and I don’t like that kind of attention, but I thought it was a super cool experience.”
“We want Nico” pushed her over the top at the basketball game.
“I cried. I couldn’t be any more happy and blessed. I’m just so proud of my son.”
Tide100.9, Tuscaloosa radio, thinks maybe money was part of the “Go Vols” decision.
The station repeated Stewart Mandel’s story from The Athletic which said a five-star prospect signed a contract with a sports collective to be paid upwards of $8 million for name, image and likeness.
Some are speculating that Iamaleava is that $8 million 18-year-old. He might be. A Knoxville company, Spyre Sports, is raising big money to benefit UT athletes. The goal is $25 million annually. You may have heard how expansive and passionate is the Tennessee fan base. True story. The money mission might be possible.
And California law does permit high school students to cash in on NIL.
There are other clues. Spyre officials talked about forthcoming support with nine recruits before the 2022 early signing period. Seven signed with Tennessee. Indeed, the power of name, image and likeness has already exceeded expectations.
Iamaleava is clearly a prize. As a junior, he threw for 2,244 yards and 33 touchdowns with just one interception in nine games. He added 158 yards rushing and three scores.
His coaches, rivals and recruiting analysts say Nico can make all the throws with growing refinement. He is exceptional at escaping the rush. Toughness shows against blitzes and on designed running plays. As coaches like to say, he’ll take on the hitters and hit back.
Is he really tough? He suffered a compound fracture of the left index finger. His first reaction was “How can we tape this to play?”
He protested but went to the hospital. Doctors said he might be out a month or six weeks. He did miss a game but the following Friday, he passed for 361 yards and six touchdowns.
“He’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached, and in a position where you don’t get a lot of tough kids,” coach Kevin Pearson said. “He’s just different. His mentality is different.”
It is grit, according to Nico, that exists in his DNA, passed down from generation to generation. He has heard that the Samoan bloodline carries strength.
His father has told him: “We’re warriors. That’s where the toughness is from.”
Good guy? Greg Biggins, a national recruiting analyst, says there are zero character concerns.
“He is a future captain, a natural leader with a high compete level and a great off-the-field work ethic.”
Really committed to Tennessee? Looks like it. Nico is recruiting. Florida five-star wide receiver Carnell Tate is one target.
“And Kyler Kasper. He’s from Arizona. I’ve built a core relationship with those two. We’ll see what kind of pull I have.”
Ego overload? You should have heard his Tennessee commitment speech.
“I want to thank the Lord for blessing me with this opportunity to further my education and play the game I love… I thank every university that invested time in recruiting me…I thank my parents for pushing me to be the best.
“Thank you, Mom (cancer survivor), for fighting strong every day to stay with us. You’re the strongest woman I know. Thank you, Dad, for helping me since day one – my first coach, my biggest supporter. I love you.”
Tennessee freshman quarterback Tayven Jackson, a mere four-star, is busy at practice. He hasn’t said what he thinks of all that Nico ability and big money talk.
Marvin West welcomes reader comments or questions. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com