AP Images
I don’t necessarily agree with Urban Meyer that Tennessee is at “nada, zero” after Nico Iamaleava’s departure, but there is an interesting question about how the rabid Volunteers’ fan base is going to absorb this whole thing once the situation settles down and Tennessee has to actually start playing games without its five-star quarterback.
Advertisement
The only two quarterbacks on the roster are former four-star Jake Merklinger, who only has experience against Chattanooga and Kent State, and George MacIntyre, who at 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds needs to hit Golden Corral daily before he will see the field. The Vols could go portal but what high-end guys are left available?
MORE IAMALEAVA: Urban Meyer speaks out about Nico-Vols situation | High school QB recruits react
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
AP Images
Advertisement
One wonders if coach Josh Heupel, after building up some credibility after going 30-9 over the last three seasons and taking the Vols to the College Football Playoff, is kitchen-sinking this thing after Iamaleava’s departure. Blame Nico for 2025.
What else could be the explanation unless the Vols are fixing to hit the transfer portal mighty hard in the spring window and not just for a quarterback replacement.
Over the last few days, I’ve talked to numerous people around Iamaleava and quite honestly I don’t know what story to believe. It sure feels like he was asking for more money according to all the reports.
But over the course of last season, I’m quite certain Iamaleava’s father was imploring Heupel and the Tennessee staff to get better…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/lets-pump-brakes-making-iamaleava-201631227.html
Author :
Publish date : 2025-04-16 20:16:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
