Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel has outlined key areas for quarterback Nico Iamaleava to focus on for the upcoming 2025 season. Reflecting on Iamaleava’s performance during his first year as the starting quarterback in 2024—a season marked by both pivotal victories and periods of inconsistency—Heupel emphasized the importance of comprehensive development.
Heupel identified several focal points for Iamaleava’s improvement:
Command and Control: Enhancing his understanding and management of the offensive scheme to ensure more effective execution during games.
Visual Discipline: Improving eye discipline to better read defenses and make accurate decisions under pressure.
Fundamentals: Refining footwork and mechanics to increase passing accuracy and overall efficiency.
Leadership: Elevating his role in motivating and guiding teammates, both on and off the field, to foster a cohesive and driven unit.
Heupel elaborated on the significance of leadership, stating, “As a quarterback, a big part of your job is creating urgency for the ten guys around you to play at a really high level, too. That leadership role, that’s not just verbally. It’s how you’re accelerating the mindset and the growth of the guys around you.”
The 2025 season is poised to be a pivotal year for both Iamaleava and the Volunteers. With the departure of key defensive contributors to the NFL, there will be increased reliance on the offense to perform at a high level. Iamaleava’s progression will be instrumental in navigating this transition and achieving the team’s aspirations.
Former teammates have expressed confidence in Iamaleava’s potential. Running back Dylan Sampson remarked that Iamaleava is poised to “take that team over,” highlighting his readiness to embrace a leadership role. Additionally, wide receiver Bru McCoy noted that Iamaleava’s growing confidence, coupled with the emergence of receiver Mike Matthews, bodes well for the offense’s development.
As the Volunteers commence spring practice, the focus will be on translating these developmental goals into tangible improvements. The coaching staff and players are committed to building upon the successes of the previous season, with Iamaleava’s growth at the forefront of their objectives.
The upcoming season presents an opportunity for Iamaleava to solidify his role as a cornerstone of Tennessee’s offense and to lead the team toward sustained success.
