Josh Heupel’s four years at Tennessee have finally borne some fruit, as Tennessee qualified for the playoffs for the first time ever. A season that saw them slaying some well-known powerhouses like Alabama by 24-17 or the Gators by 23-17 in overtime. It was a breakthrough for the Vols as they progressed from mediocrity to reaching the gates of the playoffs. Their efforts ultimately went in vain after a defeat at the hands of Ohio State. But there were lessons and, most importantly, momentum. That could help Tennessee in the upcoming season.
Josh Heupel, when he joined the Vols, inherited a 23rd overall ranked class nationally. He turned around the recruitment game and delivered back-to-back top 15 classes in the three years he was in charge. Moreover, even now, his 2025 class is a testament to fortune being on Heupel’s side. The 2025 class is ranked 10th overall and has some of the best prospects a team can eye. Two five-star players and 12 four-star blue-chip prospects make the class capable of challenging the biggest names. However, there’s still something that Heupel will need to work on.
‘Locked on Vols’ host Eric Cain explored how the players will need to work in the weight room. He described the biggest problem that contributed to it last year. “Josh Heupel being the Tennessee’s head coach. You are looking at a different Center1 for your team, QB1, and Center1, and what does that look like? I think it’s important for these guys to practice in fall camp. I’m not a doctor. I’m not a trainer. I am not a Division 1 football coach. There’s so much that I don’t know and that I don’t understand. But I think a big reason why there were guys out of shape was because guys didn’t practice last year.”
Well, several players did gain weight last year, which could be due to their lack of involvement in the fall camp. Nico Iamaleava gained a whopping 25 lbs and weighed around 215 pounds. This was quite an increase from his previous weight, which was around 190 lbs when he joined. Other players in the D-line, like Caleb Herring, gained 45 lbs and increased their weight to 250 lbs. Although that was for the better. Another player, Bruc McCroy (receiver), also gained a lot of weight after coming off an injury and weighed around 230 lbs. Then there was Chas Nimrod, who bulked up to 220 lbs.
Sep 14, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) looks to pass the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
All in all, the changes in the weight room were quite positive for many players, but it also affected players like Nico Iamaleava. Questions abounded in the media regarding the player’s weight and being out of shape. Nevertheless, his performance for the season was quite apt, as he threw for 2,616 yards. He’s looking to improve massively on his redshirt freshman season last year. But will he be able to step up and deliver in the crucial moments?
Josh Heupel’s challenge for Nico Iamaleava?
Expectations are quite high for Tennessee this year as Josh Heupel prepares for another challenge. Anything less than a playoff berth will certainly not cut it in Knoxville. The reason? Well, for starters, their offensive stalwart, Nico Iamaleava, is expected to touch his ceiling and deliver the performances of his life. And will be expected to be the game-changer for the Vols. J.D. PicKell of On3 provided some crucial info on Nico Iamaleava as to how the player is making the most of the spring games.
Speaking on the On3 Youtube channel, PicKell said, “The headline that I have been told, as it pertains to Nico Iamaleava this spring, is that he’s being challenged by Josh Heupel. It’s a two-pronged challenge.” He highlighted the major focus would be on Nico being the “tone-setter for the offense.” And also provide massive improvement in the leadership department. “[Tennessee] feels like [they need Iamaleava to offset] what they lost from a vocal, leadership [POV] a season ago. For the record, I think he can do that. Seeing him against Ohio State, the edge that he had showed me a lot.”
The season brings an opportunity for redemption for Nico Iamaleava after a lot of criticism was leveled for his performances. Especially against Georgia and Ohio State. That being said, the receiver room also needs a bit of a revamp after Dante Thorton left. There are certainly some players like Chris Brazzell II who are touted as the replacement. But we still haven’t seen the best of Brazzell, as he accumulated just 333 receiving yards after playing in almost all games. Josh Heupel will need to address these problems, too, and prepare his players for the next step in spring practice. Only then can Nico Iamaleava thrive.
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