The future is reportedly now for the Tennessee Volunteers.
According to On3.com, Vols true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava will start in Jan. 1’s Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa. Iamaleava was one of the top overall recruits in the 2023 cycle and will take the torch from Joe Milton III after the upperclassman decided to opt out of UT’s postseason game.
BREAKING: Tennessee true freshman QB Nico Iamaleava will start the Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa.
Iamaleava was the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 On300👀https://t.co/rwUOsJ0MLd pic.twitter.com/mbspgoUYN3
— On3 (@On3sports) December 27, 2023
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“A true freshman QB playing against a Phil Parker defense?” a user asked.
A true freshman QB playing against a Phil Parker defense?pic.twitter.com/36ApmzI9MS https://t.co/nxPKsHgCd9
— hawkize, lifetime fever fan (@stillnothawkize) December 27, 2023
https://t.co/ykYnOFcuyD pic.twitter.com/Svc8wTJz5k
— Matt Dixon (@MattDixon3) December 27, 2023
“Here for it …” said Shannon Terry.
Here for it … https://t.co/3NeISWLbNL
— Shannon Terry (@ShannonTerry) December 27, 2023
“Choosing to celebrate these opportunities for young players instead of whining about opt-outs in these bowl games,” William Qualkinbush tweeted.
Choosing to celebrate these opportunities for young players instead of whining about opt-outs in these bowl games https://t.co/UpNPctRQKE
— William Qualkinbush (@QualkTalk) December 27, 2023
“If he hits the portal at some point his last name is gonna go viral,” a fan laughed.
If he hits the portal at some point his last name is gonna go viral 😂 https://t.co/HjcPwmHZzH
— Clemson Addict (@Clemson_Addict) December 27, 2023
“Even if Joe wasn’t all that you got to love him cause he stayed the course with the Vols the whole way through even while getting benched…..” another commented. “ITS NICO TIME IN TENNESSEE.”
Even if Joe wasn’t all that you got to love him cause he stayed the course with the Vols the whole way through even while getting benched…..
ITS NICO TIME IN TENNESSEE 🍊 https://t.co/AMsNzYDzVs
— smokey4life🍊🍊 (@smokey4lifee) December 27, 2023
The Downey, CA native was projected to be a future top 10 draft pick coming out of high school and has drawn comparisons to Chargers QB Justin Herbert.