With starting quarterback Joe Milton III opting out of the Tennessee Volunteers' upcoming Citrus Bowl game against the Iowa Hawkeyes, the team will turn to top 2023 recruit and true freshman Nico Iamaleava.
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Milton is headed off to the NFL. Now, the Volunteers will get a preview of the future of their program with Iamaleava set to take on a stout Hawkeyes defense.
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
A big part of Milton's decision to forgo the bowl game was his invite to the Reese's Senior Bowl, an event in February that allows players to bolster their NFL Draft stock.
We saw a similar situation happen last year — Milton took over for an injured Hendon Hooker and played in the Orange Bowl against Clemson. Now, Iamaleava will have a chance to take the reins in a bowl game. Milton ended a six-year college career that started in Michigan and concluded with the Vols.
According to 247Sports, Iamaleava was the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class.
Here's what 247Sports' Greg Biggins had to say about him in his high school scouting report, likening him to Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
"There is not a throw on the field he can't make, he's comfortable throwing off-platform or being creative when he needs to be and combined with his rapidly improving football IQ and toughness, he has a chance to be a very special player at the next level and beyond."
Iamaleava will face a tough challenge against Iowa. This season, the Hawkeyes allowed 13.2 points and 172.2 passing yards per game.
The Citrus Bowl kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 1 in Orlando, Florida.
