Two weeks have passed since redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Tennessee’s football program went their separate ways.
The Volunteers have moved on with redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, early enrollee George MacIntyre and UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar, while Iamaleava is now at UCLA. The whole situation can still seem surreal to Tennessee players such as sophomore defensive back Boo Carter.
“It was really shocking that he left,” Carter said Friday afternoon. “He left his brothers behind, but this may be a better opportunity for him at the same time. You’ve got to go with your gut, but I feel like he should have stayed and at least talked with the coaches.
“We didn’t know what was going on when he didn’t show up for practice that day.”
Carter starred at Chattanooga Christian and Bradley Central before signing with Tennessee, and he worked this spring at defensive back, slot receiver and punt returner. He was a guest of WGOW’s “Sport Talk,” which broadcast Friday from the Cleveland branch of the Warren & Griffin law firm.
Iamaleava is among the six Tennessee players who have reportedly entered the NCAA transfer portal during this 10-day spring window that ended Friday night, but Carter said that fifth-year senior safety Jakobe Thomas has decided to stay with the Vols for a second consecutive year. Thomas and Andre Turrentine are the projected starters at safety, with Rickey Gibson III and Jermod McCoy the starting cornerbacks and Carter the starter at the “star” position.
When asked Friday about Tennessee’s potential to have an elite secondary with that starting five, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Carter smiled and said, “Facts.”
On Thursday, April 10, two days before the Vols concluded spring drills with their Orange & White Game, On3sports.com reported that Iamaleava was seeking an enhanced name, image and likeness deal. He did not show up for Friday morning’s practice or communicate a reason as to why, and Tennessee coach Josh Heupel announced to the team Saturday morning that Iamaleava was no longer on the team.
“When he wasn’t there that entire practice, we kind of knew,” Carter said. “Coach Heup told us he wasn’t part of the program anymore, and that’s when we really found out he was gone.”
Despite Tennessee’s quarterback room now being incredibly inexperienced compared to a month ago, Carter is confident in the components who remain.
“I think they’re ready,” Carter said. “I think Jake is ready, because he already has a year under his belt behind Nico, so I feel like he feels comfortable. He likes to get all the boys together, all of the receivers. He’ll have to compete with the new transfer coming in, but I think Jake can get the job done.
“George is doing well for a freshman, and he can throw and run. He’s going to be really good in the next year or two.”
Versatile Goree
Carter was asked Friday about redshirt freshman defensive back and former Bradley Central teammate Marcus Goree Jr.
The 6-1, 185-pound Goree played in just two games last season, the routs of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Kent State.
“He’s doing really good, and he knows everything on the defensive side and every position,” Carter said. “He’s got to get right weight-wise, but he’s doing pretty good. He’s playing corner right now, but he can move to star, too, just in case I’m on offense for some drives.”
Enough talking
James Pearce Jr. became the 48th NFL first-round pick in Tennessee history Thursday night when Atlanta selected the 6-5, 245-pound edge rusher 26th overall.
In a conference call with reporters after his selection, Pearce was asked what the Falcons are getting.
“Just someone who makes plays on the defensive side of the ball,” Pearce said. “A dog with a dog mentality who’s ready to get to it and ready to prove it. We’ve talked about it long enough now.”
Pearce also was asked about some draft reports claiming he wasn’t always 100% committed on every snap.
“I love football, and I feel like every team that I’ve been on I’ve had a great role on that team,” he said. “I’ve won with every team I’ve been on, and even though I fell a little short at Tennessee, I feel like I bring a lot.”
The newest Chief
The Vols’ draft history with the Kansas City Chiefs includes receiver Anthony Hancock, punter Dustin Colquitt, safety Eric Berry and guard Trey Smith.
It now includes Omarr Norman-Lott, who was tabbed Friday night by the reigning AFC champions with the 63rd overall selection. Norman-Lott spent three seasons at Arizona State before his two in Knoxville, and he was the ninth defensive tackle taken in this year’s draft.
The 6-2, 291-pounder from North Highlands, California, had 18 tackles and four sacks last season.
A late, late night
Due to a rain delay in excess of three hours Friday night, the opener to the three-game baseball series between No. 5 LSU (34-8, 12-6) and No. 6 Tennessee (34-7, 12-6) in Baton Rouge had a scheduled first pitch of 10:50 Eastern.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.