Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Tennessee Vols defender compares Nico Iamaleava to former No. 1 overall draft pick

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Dec 28, 2023 5:04 PM ET

Tennessee Vols true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava will receive his first career collegiate start on New Year's Day when UT takes on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Citrus Bowl.

Expectations are sky-high for the former five-star recruit, though hopefully there won't be too many hot takes after his first career start -- which happens to come against one of the best defenses in the nation.

At least one Tennessee player already thinks Nico looks like a future top draft pick.

Vols defensive lineman Bryson Eason said on Thursday, after Tennessee's second practice in Orlando, that Nico is like a "much taller" Bryce Young with how smooth he is.

Bryson Eason calls Nico Iamaleava a “much taller Bryce Young with how smooth he is.”
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) December 28, 2023

Nico, by the way, said on Thursday that he thinks he has some of Young's game in his game (as well as some of Joe Milton's game).

“I love watching Bryce. I think I got a little bit of his game," said Iamaleava. "I think I got a little bit of Joe’s game. I think just overall I feel like I can do everything on the field.”

Young's height/size was one of the only knocks against him during the 2023 NFL Draft process, but it didn't stop the Carolina Panthers from taking the former Alabama star with the No. 1 overall pick.

It's obviously far too early to know if Nico will be the second coming of Bryce Young in the SEC, but he's apparently already looking the part.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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