National Analyst Leaves Nico Iamaleava Off Top QB List, Adding Fuel to the Fire Ahead of 2025 Season
As the 2025 college football season approaches, Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava finds himself once again on the outside looking in when it comes to national recognition. The latest slight comes from On3 Sports analyst Andy Staples, who released his list of the top ten quarterbacks expected to make an impact this season—and Iamaleava was noticeably absent.
To be fair, it’s only the offseason, and lists like these are subjective and meant to spark conversation. Still, fans of the Volunteers have every right to feel frustrated—and so does Iamaleava. These rankings may not carry official weight, but in the world of college football, perceived slights often become powerful sources of motivation. If there’s one thing athletes at this level know how to do, it’s turn criticism—or even perceived criticism—into fuel.
This isn’t the first time the Tennessee signal caller has been overlooked. In fact, he was left behind in another recent ranking from Pro Football Focus, where analyst Max Chadwick placed Iamaleava ninth, behind both Florida’s DJ Lagway and New Mexico State transfer Diego Pavia. That listing also raised eyebrows, particularly among Vols fans who watched Iamaleava outplay Lagway in a head-to-head matchup last season.
Lagway, who had an up-and-down freshman campaign, showed promise but also struggled with consistency. In 12 appearances, he completed just under 60% of his passes for 1,915 yards, tossing 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Solid numbers for a freshman, but they came with growing pains.
On the other hand, Iamaleava—starting for the Vols in his first full season—delivered more polished production. He completed 63.8% of his throws, racked up 2,616 yards, and posted a 19-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Most notably, he led Tennessee to a 23-17 overtime victory over Lagway’s Florida Gators, a performance that many believed should have solidified his place among the nation’s rising quarterbacks.
Despite that, national recognition continues to elude him, and analysts like Staples seem hesitant to put him in the same tier as other young talents. That’s particularly curious when you consider that Staples is a Florida alum and briefly walked on to the Gators football team. Though not necessarily biased, the optics certainly add a layer to the narrative Vols fans are starting to see unfold.
Of course, it’s not just about what’s on paper. The quarterback rankings in question are rooted in projection—who analysts believe will have the best season in 2025 based on potential, system fit, and surrounding talent. But Iamaleava’s resume, even at this early stage, stacks up well against many of his peers.
It’s not lost on Tennessee fans that players often take these things personally. In college football, even the smallest snub can be magnified into bulletin board material. Just look at Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, who famously uses even imaginary slights to motivate his team. After their 2024 win over Texas, Smart declared that “everyone doubted” the Bulldogs, despite being heavy favorites throughout the year. His words were more psychological strategy than factual statement—but it worked. It’s a tactic that many players and coaches use, especially when preparing for long, grueling seasons.
With that context in mind, don’t be surprised if Iamaleava uses the recent rankings as motivation heading into the 2025 campaign. After all, he’s shown that he can rise to the occasion and outperform expectations. Last year’s win over Florida was a defining moment, and the rematch in Gainesville on November 22 is already shaping up to be another pivotal game. If history is any indicator, Nico will be eager to show just how misplaced the skepticism really is.
Tennessee as a program also has a lot riding on the 2025 season. With head coach Josh Heupel continuing to build on his fast-paced offensive identity, Iamaleava is expected to be the centerpiece of a team looking to make noise in the SEC and beyond. The offense will be tailored to his strengths—his arm talent, mobility, and poise under pressure—and with another year of experience, he’s poised to take a leap forward.
The snubs from national analysts may sting in the moment, but they could ultimately be a blessing in disguise. For a competitor like Iamaleava, nothing fuels the fire quite like doubt. And if he can channel that into another strong campaign, these offseason omissions may be long forgotten by the time the postseason rolls around.
In the end, preseason lists are just that—preseason. They don’t determine the outcome of games or seasons, and they certainly don’t reflect the final legacy of a player’s career. But they do shape narratives, and in the world of college football, narratives matter. Whether fair or not, Iamaleava now has a new storyline to embrace: the overlooked quarterback with something to prove.
Come November, all eyes will be on Gainesville, where Nico Iamaleava will get another chance to settle things the way he prefers—on the field, not on paper.
