1 overall player in the Class of 2023. Nico Iamaleava's Spring Role Changes With Tayven Jackson's Departure Nico Iamaleava: 'I love everything about Tennessee' football All rights reserved. We go over to the trainer, and the trainer meets me and goes, Coach, thats his bone right there, Pearson said. Hes always a threat to take off and run for big yards when flushed or on designed running plays. 18 to No. That intelligence was apparent in Warrens third game of the season, a 35-6 victory over Paramount on Friday night. For all the hype that goes into recruiting and who has the experience and this and that reason, our job in the eight or nine months leading up to (the season) is, Who gives Tennessee the best chance to win on Saturdays in the fall? Halzle said. Milton was 19-for-28 passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns against Clemson. Last name is . Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks. "They have a breakdown of every quarterback that starts when he first came in and how they looked at season end. 2 min read. Iamaleava is the third ranked player in the class of 2023, per 247Sports. But that status is short-lived, and coach Josh Heupel knows it. Nicholaus Iamaleava Then came the harassment, They locked their 8-year-old boy in a dark room for months. The message? Season; Career; . We just wanted to get a culture where the kids give great effort on the field and in the classroom and produce great young men.". "His arm talent jumped off the charts, then his size is something else, then his mobility, physical toughness and intelligence," Pearson said. There is no . He has an athletic 6-5 frame and is not just a talented quarterback but a gifted volleyball player as well. He looks to clearly be the most physically-gifted 2023 quarterback at this stage and is one of the more talented prospects in the cycle, regardless of position. Discover something new every day from News, Sports, Finance, Entertainment and more! I told him if he was to re-injure it, hed be done for the rest of the year. The five-star snacked on Bojangles. Iamaleava grew up in a Samoan household with strict, no-nonsense values imposed by his father, Nicholaus Sr., an assistant coach for Warren. But hes shown elite talent while making them, and his confidence hasnt wavered. Now a judge locks them up. Paramount was dropping its secondary 20 yards from the line of scrimmage, Iamaleava said, nixing any threat of a deep ball that had carved up Mayfair the week before. Warren's Nicholaus Iamaleava brings toughness to quarterback play Guys believe in him, and Im just talking about how he carries himself.. Nicholaus "Nico" Iamaleava (born September 2, 2004) is an American football quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers. Iamaleava was elevated to the No. Competitive player who embraces physicality and contact as a runner. He completed 64.6% of his passes for 991 yards and 10 touchdowns with no interceptions last season, while serving as Hendon Hooker's backup. QB ROOM: How Tennessee football's quarterback plans change with Tayven Jackson in transfer portal, POSITION: Tennessee football fans worry Josh Heupel mismanages Vols receivers, but they shouldnt. "I'm probably the most athletic and the best at video games in the whole family, so I don't know how to deal with it at times.". A few minutes into the second quarter, with Warren clinging to an 8-0 lead, he strode off the field and banged his helmet into the turf in frustration. Added 158 yards and three TD on 4.9 ypc. Tayven Jackson, a freshman who played in three games, transferred to Indiana, however. Iamaleava missed the season-opener, a 23-21 San Gabriel Valley League victory over Dominguez on March 19. Tennessee lands No. Ive had some good guys and his arm talent is better than anybody Ive had, he said. QB Nicholaus Iamaleava Jr. has transferred back to Long Beach Poly Recruiting analyst explains why Nico Iamaleava was ranked No. 1 ahead Not this 6-foot-6 sophomore quarterback from Warren High, who is a cousin of former St. John Bosco quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. New Mexico State to pay $8M in hazing lawsuit, Men's, women's ACC/SEC matchups announced, NCAA updates gambling punishment for athletes, Men's basketball recruiting: The battle for No. "People know us to be the big lineman and stuff like that, but Tua Tagovailoa and Marcus Mariota have changed that culture. Tennessee football: Nico Iamaleava passes Arch Manning as top prospect Adding Iamaleava is a coup for second-year head coach Josh Heupel after a promising 7-6 campaign in 2021. Learn More. Also a top volleyball recruit and has an older brother on volleyball team at Long Beach State. Hes going to be pushed extremely quickly, just looking at where were at (with a lack of depth) at the quarterback position, Heupel said. "He has an athletic 6-5 frame and is not just a talented quarterback but a gifted volleyball player as well there are zero character concerns with him and he's a future captain who other players gravitate towards. Secondly, he's rumored to be the 2023 recruit who's receiving an $8 million NIL deal. Jun 7, 2022 In this story: Nashville Tennessee Vols 2023 five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava is the most hyped Tennessee Vols commit in recent memory. Tennessee football isn't slowing the Nico Iamaleava hype train 1 On3 DB / Nico Iamaleava As a College Recruit High-upside signal caller who has the best physical tools among quarterbacks in the 2023 cycle as a high school prospect. Five-star quarterback Nicholaus Iamaleava Jr. has transferred from Warren High School to Long Beach Poly, according to his father Nicholaus Iamaleava Sr. Here's what to know. Learn a little more about him, and you'll realize he also was destined to be a quarterback. "Iamaleava just continues to get better and his upside is as high as anyone in the '23 class," 247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Biggins wrote in a scouting report in which he compared Iamaleava to former Heisman winner Marcus Mariota. Defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs finished ranked No. You can officially call Tennessee five-star commitment Nico Iamaleava a million-dollar quarterback. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. It was his first varsity game. Nico Iamaleava edges out Alabama signee Keon Keeley and Texas quarterback signee Arch Manning as the No. One of the better 7-on-7 quarterbacks we've seen in several cycles, highlighted by a dominant showing at Overtime's OT7 event. 1 recruit in the 2023 recruiting class, according to On3.com, is Tennessee Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who arrived in Knoxville in December. (Iamaleava) resets and moves on to the next play at a really high level, Heupel said. Enter five-star quarterback Nicholaus Iamaleava one of Tennessee's top targets in the class of 2023. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava will get another opportunity to showcase his talent to the nation before taking a snap in orange and white. 1 overall prospect in the final On300. Samoan blood, they say, carries strength. You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Milton and Iamaleava are the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. With his father, teammates and Pearson watching in a semicircle on the sideline, a Warren trainer gingerly unwrapped Iamaleavas taped hand. [9][10], Iamaleava enrolled early at Tennessee in December 2022, participating in workouts for the 2022 Orange Bowl.[11][12]. Joe Milton is the clubhouse leader for the starting quarterback job, but if Iamaleava has a productive few months, he could see snaps eventually during his true freshman season. He is the second ESPN Jr. 300 commit in the 2023 class, along with tight end Ethan Davis, and he is the first quarterback ranked in the top 300 for Heupel and offensive coordinator Alex Golesh. So the development part that they showcase, along with all their quarterbacks, that played a huge part because we know he's going to be developed.". Nico Iamaleava - Scouting Profile Hes a natural leader with a high compete level and a great off the field work ethic. But another reason is that Iamaleava has a lot to learn, just like any freshman. Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava announces first national NIL deal Tennessee football's Nico Iamaleava passes Arch Manning as They're also gifted athletically, with the reactive quickness to make plays with their mobility. On3 released its final rankings Tuesday. 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Robert Morales covers and coordinates local sports for the Press-Telegram, Warren quarterback Nico Iamaleava Jr. has big, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Warren quarterback Nico Iamaleava Jr. has big heart to go with big arm, Long Beach Polys Robinson brothers, and younger sibling, moving to Santa Margarita, Lalo Mendoza leaves behind legacy of excellence and racial equality, Millikan WR Ryan Pellum goes in-depth about family in USC football commitment, Press-Telegram Girls Athlete of the Year: Aujane Luckey, Wilson, Press-Telegram Boys Athlete of the Year: Tyrone Riley, St. Pius X-St. Matthias, Press-Telegram Baseball Dream Team: Long Beach Polys Lucas Scott is the player of the year, San Gabriel Valley League football teams ready for short, competitive spring season, Football roundup: Warren QB Nico Iamaleava surprisingly plays, throws for 6 TDs in win over Mayfair, Press-Telegram boys Athlete of the Week: Nico Iamaleava, Warren, Shiver me timbers! Hes come in and worked, Heupel added. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a five-star Class of 2023 prospect, officially ended his high school career Friday night by winning offensive MVP honors in the Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu. I mean, thats him. Will need to add polish at the college level but has immense physical upside. Nico Iamaleava Pro Style Quarterback 6'6" | 205 lbs Class of 2023 @ Warren | Downey, CA Commitment Status signed committed 3/21/2022 Tennessee Futurecast Results 75.0% 68.0% Mine 6'6 Sophomore QB | Cali's 'NEXT BIG THING ' Nicholaus ' Nico' Iamaleava | Warren High (CA) rankings 6.1 rating 2 national 1 state 2 position updated 01/24/2023 There is not a throw on the field he can't make. The sky could be the limit for Iamaleava, who already has 12 Division I offers from schools UCLA, Arizona State, Arizona, BYU, Florida State, Hawaii, Michigan State, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Utah and Washington State. [5] He was named the Polynesian Football Player of the Year. As a 6-year-old, he was playing tackle rugby already. "I met some incredible people, not just with the football program but everyone we met was so welcoming to us and made me feel like home. 841,065 left California. [6][7] Iamaleava was also named the MVP of the Polynesian Bowl, throwing for 186 yards and a touchdown. Despite the suggestion that hes too skinny, Iamaleava looks the part of an SEC quarterback. The five-star freshman quarterback rolled right, kept his eyes downfield and threw to freshman tight end Ethan Davis 30 yards downfield.. The Volunteers' star has officially arrived for practices. The 6-5 signee has the full attention of Volunteer fans who are eager to see what their highly touted signal caller looks like against elite competition. 6-keys: media/spln/collegefootball/reg/free/stories, at He stays composed when throwing on the run, a trait Pearson attributes to Iamaleavas dual-sport status as an elite volleyball player. The Tennessee signee is a big-armed, twitchy athlete who fares better against pressure than Manning. Five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava is Mr. Everything QB Position. He always had a big arm but can now change speeds, go through progressions and make accurate touch throws down the field look easy. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee, Quarterback [8] Iamaleava was rated as one of the top players in the class of 2023, and committed to play college football at the University of Tennessee. 11, 2022. Nicholaus "Nico" Iamaleava (born September 2, 2004) is an American football quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers. Watching Iamaleava wind up to throw a deep ball is akin to watching a lightning bolt erupt from ones shoulder. Can continue to improve his overall consistency. The staff has 2021 starter Hendon Hooker returning in 2022, as well as backup Joe Milton. ", A post shared by Nico Iamaleava (@nico_iamaleava8). 1 spot in On3's final recruiting rankings. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava looked like a freshman more than a 5-star phenom when spring practice began Monday. Their friendship has continued to grow, and it translated on Made your mark on me, a golden tattoo, Taylor Swift sings. Iamaleava still has the extraordinary talent that made him one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the 2023 recruiting class, alongside Arch Manning at Texas. The bulk of practice was closed to media, so it's unclear if Iamaleava moved up in the rotation. Leacock and Herring were also among the 15 prospects to enroll early and take part in bowl practices. Standing at 6 feet, 6 inches, and weighing almost 200 pounds, the 16-year-old was made to be an athlete. If you enjoy Mikes coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. 12:56 pm ET, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald suspended two weeks, Top-20 TE commits to Oklahoma, will reclassify to '24, Top transfer Seydou Traore commits to Mississippi State, Big 12 coach rankings: TCU's Sonny Dykes rises to top, Deion Sanders expected to hire ex-NFL head coach, Georgia extends recruiting lead with four-star DL. Iamaleava, the No. The Downey, California product has one of the lives arms in the 2023 class. 24 prospect in the 2023 class and the No. In the passing game, Halzle wants Iamaleava to let it rip without hesitancy and then correct mistakes afterward. "He's the full package.". Download it here. No coach, Im good! Iamaleava protested. The arm pairs with a twitchy athleticism rare for a quarterback of of his size. Iamaleava's commitment immediately jumpstarts the Vols' 2023 recruiting class, pushing them from No. QB Nico Iamaleava brings winning attitude to Warren football 2023 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Warren quarterback Nico Iamaleava Jr. has big heart to go with big arm That dream is buoyed by the strength of the 15-year-olds right arm. Iamaleava transferred from Poly to Downey (Calif.) Warren before the start of his junior season. The coveted prospect from California committed to the Vols in March and chose them over Georgia, Oregon, Alabama and Miami, among dozens of scholarship offers. Why QB Nico Iamaleava should be ranked over Arch Manning Scouting Report Evaluated 02/28/2022 Greg Biggins National Recruiting Analyst Projection Translation: Iamaleava has made mistakes. As one of eight siblings, some might say he's an expert. (But) theres competition at every position, Heupel said. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. Iamaleava is the No. At the time, Iamaleava was not with the Bears. A bouncy, fluid mover who doubles as a national-level volleyball player. Long Beach July 4 fireworks drew crowds akin to the Grand Prix, officials say, Listen to a pair of new, previously unheard Prince songs, Video shows Britney Spears hit herself in the face during Victor Wembanyama encounter; security guard will not be charged: police, Unfriendly political environment: convention cancellations blame Florida as reason for exodus, Colorado is drought-free for the first time since 2019, Dead seal with shark bites found on South Shore beach, sharks having a feast off Nantucket, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 29. 1 prospect in the 2023 class in On3's final rankings. All Rights Reserved. His commitment gives Tennessee the highest-ranked quarterback the program has landed since ESPN started its rankings in 2006. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. In the first half, contrary to the fireworks show of his first game, as Pearson put it, Iamaleava was struggling to move the ball. According to 247 Sports, Iamaleava is the third highest-rated recruit in the history of the Tennessee football program behind Bryce Brown and Eric Berry. 1 overall. But Moore and Shuler are walk-ons. When he committed in March 2022, Iamaleava - the top Class of 2023 recruit in the country, according to On3 - made national news not only for his pledge but also because of his NIL opportunities.As The Athletic has since reported, Iamaleava reportedly signed a deal with Spyre Sports Group in which . Tennessee signed four top-100 prospects in On3's rankings. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football: Nico Iamaleava passes Arch Manning as top prospect. Nico Iamaleava - Tennessee Volunteers - QB 2 . Tennessee football quarterback Nico Iamaleava is the No. Michael Conforto and Austin Slater each hit two-run homers to back Alex Wood's five innings in the Giants' 5-3 win over the Rockies, Check out Trea Turner's first-inning home run on Saturday afternoon against the Marlins.Trea Turner gives the Phillies an early lead with his 10th homer of the season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Nico Iamaleava's throw on the run is why the Vols had to have him He easily drove the ball downfield. No problem, as LA Metro allows all drivers to use freeway toll lanes, Man wrongfully convicted of 1983 Long Beach murder poised to get $3 million settlement, Trial begins for 2 men accused of killing bystander near food truck in Long Beach, Harpo, Aquarium of the Pacific sea lion, described as gentle and friendly, dies, Long Beach, LA ports receive nearly $600 million in state infrastructure grants. His mentality is different.. DOWNEY, Calif. Walk across the football field at Warren High School in Downey, and you'll spot quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Hes a tough kid as well who will stand in and take a shot and when hes running in the open field, he looks more like a big receiver than a signal caller. That finger might well be taped the rest of the season. Tennessee, Alabama, Oregon, Miami and Georgia are Iamaleava's top five schools. FARRAGUT, Tenn. If Nico Iamaleava is indeed the $8 million quarterback, he's probably the best choice for the gamble. section: | slug: nicholaus-iamaleava-commits-to-tennessee-vols-land-first-five-star-quarterback-recruit-since-2002 | sport: collegefootball | route: article_single.us | "I'll be back there for the spring game and looking forward to that but I've studied what they do and feel I'll be able to fit in really well.". Hes just different. The last time we did it, it was about 72 (yards), Nico Iamaleava Sr. said. Learn a little more about him, and you'll realize he also was destined to be a quarterback. It also means hell be expected to show steady improvement. Both check in at over 6-foot-5 and have big arms with the ability to drive the football to all levels of the field. Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. While not a mind-blowing move, it is good to see that the Mitchell Services Limited ( ASX:MSV ) share price has gained Jordan Lawlar, Spencer Jones, Jackson Merrill and other prospects reflected Saturday on their first favorite MLB stars. 1 overall prospect in the 2023 class. Joey Halzle, the quarterbacks coach who was recently promoted to offensive coordinator, watched every motion of Iamaleavas passes and critiqued his fundamentals. Nicholaus Iamaleava Jr. didnt notice the blood dripping down his arm. Hooker's success, and the past success Heupel has seen at previous stops, played a big factor in Iamaleava's decision to pick Tennessee. Nico Iamaleava. 2021: As a junior threw for 2,244 yards, 33 TD, and one INT on a 59.6 completion percentage (162 of 272). Iamaleava, the No. Fans should key in on the Polynesian Bowl. The California native passed Arch Manning, the nephew of Vols legend Peyton Manning, for the top spot in the rankings. Jordan Poole is excited about his new opportunity with the Washington Wizards after being traded from the Warriors. Georgia football in top schools for 5-star QB Has done a very good job taking care of the football with just seven interceptions in three varsity varsity seasons. His younger brother Madden is a freshman quarterback at Warren. Nico Iamaleava (12) QB - Last name is pronounced ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va HIGH SCHOOL An elite quarterback ranked the No. The early returns in bowl practice were encouraging. Nico Iamaleava Arrives at Polynesian Bowl A look through Bengals history at the No. Traverse City Central's one-doubles flight players the senior Fochtman and junior Natalie Bourdo have been best friends since they were 8 years old and met through tennis camp. Perhaps that Iamaleava must earn his place in the rotation. Iamaleavas big arm showed up in the all-star setting. Tennessee's offense ranked among the most explosive in the nation, especially after switching to quarterback Hendon Hooker. That special blend of football and family has made Nico one of the top quarterbacks in his class and a strong leader of this pack, but by his own accord, it hasn't made him any less of a sore loser. 1 recruit in the. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. With Iamaleava in the fold, more top-level offensive players could soon be on the way. March 17, 2022 10:36 am ET. Freshman Class. The Volunteers landed Nicholaus Iamaleava, the 6-foot-5 . Recruiting preview: The No. Nicholaus Iamaleava, the 6-foot-5, dynamic signal-caller, has been predicted to choose Tennessee by multiple recruiting sites following a visit last weekend. Right now, Im really trying to go to the league, Iamaleava said. This is just the sophomores first year with Warrens program after transferring from Long Beach Poly, but Pearson has been impressed with the quarterbacks ability to translate concepts from the film room to the field. And it shows.. I told Coach [Pearson], Lets take all the short stuff first and have them come down, and then it opens up the big stuff, Iamaleava said. 4 player in the final SI99, one of his . Nico Iamaleava, 2023 Pro Style Quarterback, Tennessee Last name is pronounced ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va An elite, game-changing quarterback ranked among the top 10 best overall . Theres a grit to the 6-foot-6 Iamaleava, a grit belied by a carefree smile and gangly frame that glides more than it walks. Highlights of Nicholaus Iamaleava, a 6-foot-6 quarterback from Warren High in Downey. The throw was placed where only Davis could catch it. Today, Iamaleava is a freshman learning the basics of being an SEC quarterback. He showed that during Orange Bowl practices, when he ran the scout team as an early enrollee and played the part of Clemson freshman Cade Klubnik the No. Jordan Walsh had an excellent debut with 18 points fueled by 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Summary Biography. Capped off his high school career with an MVP showing at the Polynesian Bowl, flashing his plus downfield arm and high-end movement skills both as a runner and in evading the pass rush. 2, taking the top spot from Texas quarterback signee Arch Manning, the nephew of Peyton Manning. For the first time, Nico Iamaleava of Long Beach (Calif.) Poly has an On3 NIL Valuation of $1 million. The coveted prospect from California committed to the Vols in March, How Tennessee football's quarterback plans change with Tayven Jackson in transfer portal, Tennessee football fans worry Josh Heupel mismanages Vols receivers, but they shouldnt, Tennessee football: Nico Iamaleava passes Arch Manning as top prospect, Leslie Van Houten, follower of cult leader Charles Manson, is one big step closer to freedom, An Iowa meteorologist started talking about climate change on newscasts. But Halzle is a perfectionist when it comes to footwork and follow-through on passes, and he wants to guide Iamaleavas rocket arm from the ground floor. Iamaleava just continues to get better and his upside is as high as anyone in the 23 class. Having (Iamaleava's) mom on the visit to Tennessee really solidified that she was able to experience that," Iamaleava's father, Nicholaus, said. Hooker threw for 2,945 yards, 31 touchdowns and 3 interceptions last season and solidified himself as the starter after transferring from Virginia Tech and starting the season as Milton's backup.