Nico Iamaleava, a redshirt freshman quarterback for Tennessee, spoke those last words during his Monday meeting with members of the local media inside the Anderson Training Center. Iamaleava has approached this offseason with intentionality, hoping to expand his skill set and become a more vocal leader for the Vols on the gridiron. He is one week into his second spring training camp on Rocky Top and twelve weeks after making his first career start in the Vols’ 35-0 victory over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.
“I have been trying to work on being more vocal for the guys, speaking up when I need to,” Iamaleava stated. “I think it’s just hanging out with the guys, being myself, and making sure we’re finishing up our business.” I’ve improved my vocal ability more; all I’ve really been trying to do is be louder for the guys.”
During the media conference on Monday, the Long Beach, California native was asked about building rapport with the new Tennessee receivers, bulking up to 215 pounds from his 6’6″ frame, and contrasting his backup role to starting the 2024 season as the signal caller.
Iamaleava said, “Last year, I approached every day like I was the starter.” “I think (Joe Milton III) did a great job of just helping me visualize what that looks like, and I have carried it over to this year.”
The Tennessee offensive line, which was well-represented in Monday’s post-practice press conferences, will prioritize protecting quarterback Josh Johnson. Glen Elarbee, the assistant coach, was first to take the platform, followed by offensive lineman John Campbell Jr. and Deane Davis, both of whom were redshirt seniors.
Additionally, sophomore tackle Lance Heard made his debut appearance in front of the Knoxville media and established himself early in his first offseason with the Vols. At 6 feet 6 inches tall and 335 pounds, the native of Monroe, Louisiana, has already sparked comparisons to former Vol and 2022 first-round overall pick Darnell Wright.
“The guy (Lance Heard) has unbelievable length and natural ability,” Elarbee stated. “Since the passer is a large human, protecting him will be a major improvement. The capacity to shift four i’s in the run game, in my opinion, is where Darnell Wright significantly altered our run game. Lance is going to have that skill as well, in my opinion.”
“Actually, this is just his first offseason. He is aware of some of the nuances of playing the game from scratch, but repetition and experience help him develop a deeper understanding of what’s happening and how to react in different scenarios. That, in my opinion, is just a natural part of his development.”
Entering his sixth season with the Vols, Davis has learned from Elarbee to serve the offensive line room with the versatility of a Swiss Army knife. This spring, the native of Bluff City, Tennessee, has seen more reps at guard. He attributes his ability to service the line in many various places to two things: his understanding of the Josh Heupel system and his team-first mentality.
“My last three years here under Coach Heupel and Coach Elarbee, it’s just been as a guy who knows the offense so well that you can flip to any position when you need a person here or there,” Davis said. “Left guard, left tackle, center last year for five or six games, just being that guy where, if we need a spot on the o-line, can step up and be that player … Just really helping where I can, being a teammate to everybody and just being there for the o-line.”
Spring practice resumes Monday, April 1, following the Easter holiday break. Tennessee will hold a closed scrimmage at Neyland Stadium on Wednesday morning before welcoming a number of former Volunteer standouts and NFL executives for Pro Day inside the Anderson Training Center.
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