Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is approaching the 18-month mark in terms of his time at Tennessee, which includes two Orange & White Game outings and his MVP honors in January's Citrus Bowl.
Iamaleava shouldn't be confused for a sixth-year senior, which the Volunteers have employed the past two seasons with Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton III, but he is no longer the midyear enrollee from December 2022, either. He will still be just 19 years old when Tennessee kicks off its 2024 season against UTC inside Neyland Stadium on Aug. 31, but his growth to this point has been evident, and his coaches expect that to continue.
"There is so much growth from any quarterback as they go through the early stages of learning what it takes to play college football," Josh Heupel said Saturday afternoon following the 99-minute spring contest. "How intentional he is and how much time he spends inside of the building leads to the understanding of what we're doing offensively, and understanding the 'why' behind it is really important for players as well. They need to understand structures of defenses, protections, when you're hot and when you have to get the ball out of your hands, and how to slide protections and get yourself in good matchups.
"Quarterbacks control a lot more than people think in our run game, too. It's continued growth there, but Nico has really good command."
Saturday marked Tennessee's 14th of 15 workouts allotted by the NCAA. The Vols reviewed tape of the Orange & White Game on Monday before concluding spring drills with a softball contest.
Iamaleava has been checking the necessary boxes during his time in Knoxville, becoming more vocal with leadership responsibilities, bulking up from 190 pounds to 215, and just gaining in overall experience. He appeared in five games last season, completing 28 of 45 passes for 314 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
In Orlando, he was 12-of-19 for 151 yards and a touchdown through the air and compiled three rushing scores, including one from 19 yards out.
"I'm very pleased with the steps that we've been taking," Iamaleava said Saturday. "Obviously, I think I have a little bit more of a grasp of the offense and what we're trying to do."
Iamaleava will have the comfort of playing behind a veteran offensive line later this year, but what seems to have him most excited is his receiver contingent. Even though the Vols had Jalen Hyatt, Bru McCoy and Cedric Tillman in 2022 — a trio that combined for 2,351 yards with Hyatt winning the Biletnikoff Award — Heupel said Saturday that this group should be the deepest of his four years with the Vols.
McCoy and Squirrel White missed the Orange & White Game, but Dont'e Thornton, Chas Nimrod, Kaleb Webb, Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell, and midyear enrollees Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley each competed.
"I think we've got a lot in our receiver room and a lot more receiver depth than we've had before," Iamaleava said. "Then you add the size to it and a lot of young guys who can play up like Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley — it's just fun to see this receiver group grow to what it has become.
"I'm excited to go out there and play with these guys."
When asked specifically about Matthews, Iamaleava said, "He has a big catch radius and can go up and get the ball at a high level. It can be rare seeing that from young guys coming in, but he's shown that every day this spring."
Tennessee was 17th in the final Associated Press poll from last season after its 35-0 thumping of the Hawkeyes capped a 9-4 record. The Vols should be pegged among the top dozen or so teams for 2024 given what they return on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
And a former five-star quarterback who has come a long way but still has challenges ahead.
"Nico does a great job being intentional in his leadership role, communication role and in one-on-one situations," Heupel said. "He's going to have to continue to grow as a leader inside of our program as he goes through his career, but that's typical of every young quarterback."
Herring entering portal
Linebacker Elijah Herring, who led the Vols with 80 tackles last season as a sophomore, announced on social media Monday night that he will be entering the NCAA transfer portal.
The spring window for the portal opens Tuesday and runs through April 30.
"I'd like to thank Coach Heupel and the University of Tennessee for the opportunity to play in my home state," Herring posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "I appreciate all the support from the entire staff, my teammates and fans. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and pursue other college opportunities. Love The Vols!"
The 6-3, 238-pound former Murfreesboro Riverdale standout had his playing time increase significantly last season due to injuries to Keenan Pili and Arion Carter.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.