We are just about a month away from the one-year anniversary of quarterback Nico Iamaleava committing to Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers football program.
Iamaleava, who would wind up as the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class according to On3 Sports, pledged his commitment to Tennessee on Mar. 21, 2022. That’s just about exactly one year away from the start of Iamaleava’s first spring camp at Tennessee, which will kick off in Knoxville on Mar. 20, 2023.
Just about nine months after his commitment, Iamaleava would officially become an early enrollee at Tennessee, thus starting his career with the Volunteers.
Here’s a look back at some of Iamaleava’s top highlights from the last year as Tennessee prepares for spring camp one month from Monday.
April 2022 – Pylon 7v7
In April of 2022, Iamaleava, his family, and his 7-on-7 team came over to Knoxville to participate in the Pylon Sports 7-on-7 tournament, held at Farragut High School. The newly committed future Volunteer attracted a big crowd as he showed off his talents on a cold, rainy, and icy day in town.
Tennessee commit Nico Iamaleava heaves it deep to four-star uncommitted wide receiver Jordan Anderson.
Touchdown. pic.twitter.com/Ducl0sk6wK
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) April 10, 2022
Tennessee QB commit Nico Iamaleava threading the needle for the long touchdown in the 7-on-7 tournament this morning in Knoxville. pic.twitter.com/YqyY7MZL3v
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) April 9, 2022
40-yard touchdown pass from Tennessee QB commit Nico Iamaleava this morning in Knoxville.
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) April 9, 2022
Five Star QB Nico Iamaleava with the touchdown RECEPTION… From his brother Madden Iamaleava. pic.twitter.com/nOEJTsPNjW
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) April 10, 2022
More from RTI: ‘Don’t Play Timid’: Joey Halzle’s Message to Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava
June 2022 – Overtime 7v7
To start out his summer activities, Iamaleava dazzled audiences in the Overtime 7-on-7 (OT7) tournament that was held in Las Vegas.
The Tennessee commit lived up to his billing at the event, earning substantial praise from those in appearance at the event. 247sports chose Iamaleava for its quarterback on the event’s “dream team” while On3 named Iamaleava as the tournament MVP.
Rolllin' through recent video we shot. Look at the latest flash from @nico_iamaleava8, who had a heck of an @overtime OT7 run. pic.twitter.com/5byhGUTzHM
— John Garcia, Jr. (@JohnGarcia_Jr) June 13, 2022
5star Tennessee QB commit Nico Iamaleava with the dart for a TD @overtime OT7 https://t.co/FnRqMcEMYU pic.twitter.com/2RFoqD06Yw
— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) June 11, 2022
An absolutely terrific play by #Tennessee QB commit Nico Iamaleava as his fantastic weekend continues at @overtime OT7. Avoids the rush and his dad (the play caller) https://t.co/EL5nGdI63G pic.twitter.com/6gWqXKgpik
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) June 12, 2022
August 2022 – High School Season Opener
— … (@PorterWarner7) August 14, 2022
— … (@PorterWarner7) August 14, 2022
October 2022 – High School Highlights
Tennessee QB commit Nico Iamaleava with a BEAUTY 🎯 @nico_iamaleava8 pic.twitter.com/sUvrVIXNVu
— Overtime (@overtime) October 20, 2022
.@nico_iamaleava8 with his 4TH TOUCHDOWN PASS‼️@Marcus_Higgs2 3RD TOUCHDOWN OF THE GAME 👀#GOTW | #SoCal | @CIFSS | @WHSBearFootball pic.twitter.com/kIczm9QuAb
— PrepZone (@prepzone) October 15, 2022
.@adamgorney thinks Tennessee-bound QB Nico Iamaleava might be a candidate to land at No. 1 in the 2023 class: https://t.co/tQ914R5JR5 pic.twitter.com/Tt54Kq5hUj
— Rivals (@Rivals) October 17, 2022
December 2022 – Tennessee Bowl Practices
Tennessee QB coach Joey Halzle giving Nico Iamaleava some instruction on the field. pic.twitter.com/ESGkB4C0Fv
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) December 17, 2022
Tennessee’s 5-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava on the Vols’ practice field. // @rockytopinsider pic.twitter.com/QUcuvo48Qd
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) December 17, 2022
January 2023 – Polynesian Bowl (Named MVP)
After Tennessee wrapped up a victory over Clemson in the Orange Bowl, Iamaleava went out to Hawaii to be one of the two starting quarterbacks in the prestigious Polynesian Bowl. Iamaleava was named the MVP after finishing with 186 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 13-of-20 passing.
Another 5-star connection in the Poly Bowl with Nico Iamaleava finding uncommitted No. 1 TE Duce Robinson on a deep ball https://t.co/FnRqMcWonuhttps://t.co/FzQ3SGPVGl pic.twitter.com/xB9I6edVnl
— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) January 21, 2023
Tennessee 5⭐️ QB enrollee Nico Iamaleava almost found the end zone on this 58-yard run!
🎥: @AustinPriceless https://t.co/sVOYb9C3J6pic.twitter.com/gyihAJIXoA
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) January 21, 2023
