What Josh Heupel liked about freshman WR Travis Smith in scrimmage
Travis Smith had an impressive first scrimmage in Tennessee’s spring practice. He made a few catches, including a touchdown on a fade route.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava enjoys some upper hand with the transfer period approaching. Use it wisely.Tennessee’s proven quarterback depth is awfully thin. That gives Nico Iamaleava some negotiating power, but who says he’s better off without Tennessee?Tennessee made the playoff with Nico Iamaleava last season. Keep him, and Vols could return.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava wants a sweeter deal, according to On3’s reporting Thursday, and why shouldn’t he? Starting quarterbacks enjoy leverage in this landscape.
Iamaleava has Tennessee backed into a corner, because the Vols let their quarterback depth chart grow thin behind Iamaleava.
With Iamaleava as Tennessee’s starting quarterback, the Vols can make the College Football Playoff. We know this, because they made the playoff with Iamaleava last season, and once they got there, their quarterback was the best thing going for them in a pulverization at Ohio State.
Without Iamaleava, well, that complicates matters for Tennessee. There’s no readymade heir. Josh Heupel’s two recruiting classes after he signed Iamaleava included no quarterbacks of his caliber. No veteran transfer with starting experience sits behind Iamaleava, either.
In fairness to Tennessee, it’s a wee bit difficult to sign another No. 1-ranked quarterback recruit when you’ve so clearly identified your starter for a multi-year period.
Tennessee put its eggs in the Iamaleava basket when its NIL collective brokered a major deal three years ago for the prospect in pajama pants. And Tennessee kept its eggs in that basket.
Vols backup Jake Merklinger has never taken a snap against a…
Source link : https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/04/10/nico-iamaleava-tennessee-nil-negotiations-transfer/83032180007/
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Publish date : 2025-04-10 21:38:00
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