The Tennessee Volunteers are heading into this season without Nico Iamaleava as their quarterback. Iamaleava was expected to be the starter, but a contract dispute derailed those plans. Reportedly, the Vols were unwilling to meet his financial demands, leading to a significant fallout. After failing to report to practice, head coach Josh Heupel promptly dismissed him from the team.
While Iamaleava was widely regarded as a top-tier quarterback by fans and media alike, the situation has since revealed deeper issues within the program. Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman recently shed light on the lack of leadership at the quarterback position last season.
“I think that's probably the biggest thing we were missing last year," Kitselman said during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's 3HL. "You know, you come off a drive, go three-and-out, go three-and-out again, and it's like, where's the voice on this team?"
The Vols' defense was a strong point last season and played a major role in the team’s success, especially when the offense struggled to produce points. Now, with no clear starter at quarterback, the summer will be filled with fierce competition.
Transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar is the most experienced player in the room and is working hard to earn the trust of his teammates. Early signs suggest he may be stepping into the leadership role that Iamaleava never could.
“The first week he was here with all our guys, he took the offensive linemen out to dinner," Heupel said. "Those are little steps in developing relationships where you can eventually lead them. When you're coming in, how you present yourself every single day inside and outside the building is going to be how players perceive you. He has an ability to connect with our guys as a veteran guy. He has developed relationships and earned the trust of those guys."
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In a short period, Aguilar has already made an impression by doing things Iamaleava never managed to do at Tennessee. If he wins the starting job, expect him to be a vocal leader on the field—and someone who takes care of his teammates off it.