Following Tennessee football’s 35-0 beatdown of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day in Orlando, Vols head coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Nico Iamaleava and defensive end James Pearce Jr. met with the media to discuss the win.
Naturally after a four-touchdown, game-MVP performance, Iamaleava was asked several questions regarding his performance and true freshman season overall.
Additionally, towards the end of the press conference, Iamaleava was asked who he models his game after.
Iamaleava first answered Joe Milton III, Tennessee’s sixth-year senior quarterback who started all of 2023 who has taken Iamaleava under his wing in the past year. Iamaleava praised Milton’s arm strength, poise, and leadership qualities as admirable features.
“Some of the main guys are – well I watch Joe Milton every day. Just his pocket presence, and the way he’s able to deliver the ball from anywhere, and he has a cannon.”
Iamaleava went on to add that he also looks up to NFL stars Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as well as former Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.
“Take a lot from Bryce Young and Lamar Jackson and their game, too. Just a mix. Josh Allen.”
After his answer, Heupel could not resist but chime in with a playful comment.
“I’m going to have to get him to start watching my film in the offseason, too,” Heupel said with a big smile.
“Obviously I’ll watch Coach Heup’s, too,” Iamaleva said with a laugh. “It’s that black-and-white film.”
More From RTI: Nico Iamaleava Ties Tennessee Program Bowl Record Against Iowa
Watch the humorous exchange between Tennessee’s head coach and his quarterback of the future below.
This exchange between Josh Heupel and Nico 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/cSKrP6aeAc
— Jack Foster (@jackfostermedia) January 1, 2024
Regardless of what film Iamaleava has been or will be watching, his performance against Iowa was certainly an encouraging way to start 2024.
The five-star freshman looked composed, and Heupel’s offense ran very smoothly with No. 8 leading the charge.
Additionally, the offensive line wasn’t at full strength and the personnel at wide receiver was not nearly as good as it will be next year. It’s dangerous to make assumptions after one game, and it’s difficult to not to considering we all only have one game to evaluate Nico for the next eight months, but it went about as well as it could for the Vols in Camping World Stadium on Monday.
Proud of this group. The way they compete and show up every day!
Awesome performance today. Whole team victory! 🍊🏆#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/kBuI2xWzBk
— Josh Heupel (@coachjoshheupel) January 1, 2024
