Tennessee quarterback and early enrollee Nico Iamaleava has officially landed as the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2023 according to On3 Sports’ final rankings.
Nico Iamaleava ranks two spots above Texas early enrollee quarterback Arch Manning.
Iamaleava enrolled at Tennessee on Dec. 16 and took part in the Vols’ Orange Bowl preparation and festivities in both Knoxville and Miami.
“Obviously, the raw skills are there,” Tennessee HC Josh Heupel said about Iamaleava on early signing day. “Arm talent and extremely athletic and explosive inside of the pocket. Can make plays with his feet. In a short amount of time, we’ve been able to see those things already.”
After committing to Tennessee in late March, Iamaleava has been one of, if not the staple of Tennessee’s 2023 recruiting class. The five-star gem of a prospect competed in a number of 7-on-7 tournaments throughout the spring and the summer before completing his final season of high school ball at Warren High School in the fall.
“Got a chance to see him in person and on tape, too,” Heupel said about Iamaleava. “He’s athletic, and I say that meaning that he understands his body. He can self-correct and get himself in the position as he’s learned what it should feel like in the pocket in a few short days. He can already start to correct himself, he understands when something happens, why it’s happening. That’s only going to continue to heighten.”
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When he committed to Tennessee in March, On3 Sports consensus rankings had Iamaleava as the fifth-ranked player in the class of 2023, the third-highest quarterback in the class, and the second-ranked player from the state of California.
Then, during a recruiting rankings update on July 18, On3 bumped Iamaleava up to the No. 2 overall prospect and the No. 2 overall quarterback in the class.
And now, on Tuesday, Iamaleava lands as the No. 1 ranked player in On3 Sports final recruiting rankings.
“High-upside signal caller who may have the best physical tools among quarterbacks in the 2023 cycle,” On3 wrote in their scouting report of Iamaleava. “Has one of the stronger arms in the cycle, generating considerable velocity on his throws in camp settings. Tall with a slender build with room to fill out. Boasts a quick, clean throwing motion despite his longer arms. A bouncy, fluid mover who doubles as a top volleyball player.”
Nico Iamaleava leads three Tennessee players in On3’s final Top 50 with DL Daevin Hobbs landing at No. 29 and WR Nathan Leacock jumping all the way up to No. 45 overall in the class.
One Response
Awesome! Welcome to Rocky Top young man!