Vocal leadership from our QBs

[Shades]

https://atozsports.com/nashville/volunteers/vols-confirms-suspicion-tennessee-offense-missing-2024-football-2025/

Nico Iamaleava, who transferred to UCLA in April, started at quarterback for Tennessee in 2024, and he was known as a quiet leader. That's something that Iamaleava was working on being better at before leaving Knoxville earlier this year.

"I think when it just comes to letting the whole offense and defense and the whole team hear your voice, I think that’s been the biggest thing for me," said Iamaleava in March, a month before he transferred to UCLA. "Just stepping out of my shell. I wasn’t very comfortable speaking in front of large crowds and stuff like that, but I’ve taken that next step and that’s something I’m continuing to work on.”

Vols senior tight end Miles Kitselman confirmed during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's 3HL on Tuesday that vocal leadership is something that Tennessee's offense was missing last season.

Kitselman also explained why he doesn't think that will be an issue in 2025 with either Joey Aguilar or Jake Merklinger (the two most likely candidates to win the Vols' starting quarterback battle this fall...true freshman George MacIntyre is also in the competition).

"I would say being vocal," said Kitselman when asked what he likes about the three quarterbacks on Tennessee's roster. "I think that's probably the biggest thing we were missing last year. 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? And it should have been me, but being my first year there, it was kind of like, man, I don't know if I've proved myself enough to call out some of these fifth-year seniors who have been here for five years."

"For sure, yeah, 100 percent," added Kitselman when asked if he feels like he's proved himself enough to be a more of a vocal leader in 2025. "I feel like I've proved myself more than enough. And these quarterbacks, all three of them -- especially Joey and Jake, just being a little older -- they are not afraid to rip into it. And I love it. I absolutely love it. And then the second you have somebody who talks back, you got five or six dudes, like myself, that are like, 'Nah, we're not going with that. He's right, you're wrong'. Like, you know, get back in line. So I would just say the vocal part of it [is what] I love [and] we need."

"You've seen a lot of growth from Jake," said Kitselman during an appearance on WNML. "He has really stepped into that leadership role. He's super vocal. He comes to work every single day, so he has that ability to be vocal with guys.

"Jake's acting like a vet right now, calling people out at practice, [holding] people up to the standard. And he's being super vocal right now. Him and Joey (Aguilar) are both taking this team by the reins. And both of them are just acting like they're the starters right now. And I love it."

 

[Hawaiian Hammer]

The vibes I got from that interview was the fact that Nico just doesn’t have “it”. He wasn’t a leader or really much of a participant in the culture Heupel has built.

Glad we’ve got guys barking at each other now. That goes a long way in chemistry building for the offense. Sounds like we’re going to take a leap offensively that we need to this season.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

It always comes down to Team. Always. Always, always.

When we get too caught up in the Amazing Talent or FIve Stars or Family Pedigree of this lad or that lad, we're losing focus on what's important. Team. Team chemistry, team work, team spirit, team cohesion.

It's just Team.

Go Vols!

 

[#1fulmerite]

Nico was just like Bryce Brown; hang out and get to the NFL but get as much jack as you can before you go.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Glad to know Merk and Joey are calling guys out in practice before Fall practice has started.

 

[vegasvolfan]

I like what I am reading here, but this article reveals there are people doing things wrong lol.

Also, Nico was a first year starting sophomore. To Merk’s point, the vocal aspect to these QBs and even his own role took some time and required seniority.

That all said, I think Peyton had that Moxy fairly early on (he also started as a true freshman). So, if you are paying a guy a top whatever salary, you are going to hope that he already possesses some of the attributes you would hope for from a more senior QB. Tua may be a good example of what you hope to find. In fact, I think Joey has had “it” regardless of when and where he played.

Sort of “thinking on the fly” here.

https://atozsports.com/nashville/volunteers/vols-confirms-suspicion-tennessee-offense-missing-2024-football-2025/

 

[DaddyChad]

The vibes I got from that interview was the fact that Nico just doesn’t have “it”. He wasn’t a leader or really much of a participant in the culture Heupel has built.

Glad we’ve got guys barking at each other now. That goes a long way in chemistry building for the offense. Sounds like we’re going to take a leap offensively that we need to this season.

Would have to get his nutsack from his dad before he could be a leader.

 

[Freak]

Would have to get his nutsack from his dad before he could be a leader.

harsh but true. lol.

 

[LittleVol]

Would have to get his nutsack from his dad before he could be a leader.

He’s Samoan. You all don’t understand his culture.

Not saying his culture is right or practical- because I don’t agree with many things about Samoan or pacific cultures in general.

But he trusts and above all MUST respect his father.

Unfortunately, his father is a jackass and lost his son a ton of money this year.
Even though he landed in a pretty good place at UCLA and playing for Sunseri.

Nico showed a lot of toughness in that Ohio State game. Family and honoring your parents are to the extreme in his culture.

 

[VolFan_stuck_in_the_901]

He’s Samoan. You all don’t understand his culture.

Not saying his culture is right or practical- because I don’t agree with many things about Samoan or pacific cultures in general.

But he trusts and above all MUST respect his father.

Unfortunately, his father is a jackass and lost his son a ton of money this year.
Even though he landed in a pretty good place at UCLA and playing for Sunseri.

Nico showed a lot of toughness in that Ohio State game. Family and honoring your parents are to the extreme in his culture.

You'd think that's something we would've taken into account when recruiting him... oh well, live and learn

 

[DaddyChad]

He’s Samoan. You all don’t understand his culture.

Not saying his culture is right or practical- because I don’t agree with many things about Samoan or pacific cultures in general.

But he trusts and above all MUST respect his father.

Unfortunately, his father is a jackass and lost his son a ton of money this year.
Even though he landed in a pretty good place at UCLA and playing for Sunseri.

Nico showed a lot of toughness in that Ohio State game. Family and honoring your parents are to the extreme in his culture.

I do not believe that BS. Nic is a jackass but Nico is responsible for his own actions including not showing up to several team events. So sick of people making excuses for lack of accountability.

 

[#1fulmerite]

I’m trying to think of the last “vocal” QB the team rallied around and I go back 20 years to (Rick) Clausen.

Was Hooker or Milton a vocal leader? Dobbs?

 

[VolFan_stuck_in_the_901]

I do not believe that BS. Nic is a jackass but Nico is responsible for his own actions including not showing up to several team events. So sick of people making excuses for lack of accountability.

If not for that reporter leaking it the Thursday before the Orange and White Game, Nico and Daddy would've bailed in the middle of the night right after Spring practice and really left us in the lurch.

In a way, I wish we would've told them both to take a hike in the winter portal season.

 

[DaddyChad]

I’m trying to think of the last “vocal” QB the team rallied around and I go back 20 years to (Rick) Clausen.

Was Hooker or Milton a vocal leader? Dobbs?

Leadership vacuum overall the last several decades. JG was here like 43 years it seemed like as well and you had a revolving door of the likes of Bailey, Worley, etc. Probably the closest vocal leader would’ve been Bray during that time imo. Dobbs was just good as was Hooker but idk about vocal leader; Milton imo was more that guy than Henson.

 

[sonofUT62]

I’m trying to think of the last “vocal” QB the team rallied around and I go back 20 years to (Rick) Clausen.

Was Hooker or Milton a vocal leader? Dobbs?

JG was vocal and beloved. Played hard and was tough as hell. He just unfortunately wasn’t very good.

 

[LittleVol]

You'd think that's something we would've taken into account when recruiting him... oh well, live and learn

When dealing with unregulated situations like NIL and a culture (like Samoans) that are constantly seeking money, it’s a risk you take. Especially at QB.

Prediction: Nico will lead UCLA to a winning season and all the while confidence will be restored in our offense by Joey Aguilars play.
And all because he will block out Halze…

This is no secret- I AM NO FAN OF HALZLE- but Aguilar already has a ton of college game experience and habits (good and bad) that he’s tested under fire.

Meanwhile- Halzles over-coaching, risk adverse approach - will have minimal impact on a guy like Aguilar. Maybe just enough of the cautious narrative can turn out helpful. My guess is that he’ll block him out and throw the ball to all of our talented skill players and allow our run game to keep him on schedule.

 

[Volizona]

Leadership vacuum overall the last several decades. JG was here like 43 years it seemed like as well and you had a revolving door of the likes of Bailey, Worley, etc. Probably the closest vocal leader would’ve been Bray during that time imo. Dobbs was just good as was Hooker but idk about vocal leader; Milton imo was more that guy than Henson.

Dobbs and Hooker may not have been super loud / vocal leaders but they sure led by example and motivated teammates in a positive way. I have no doubt their teammates respected them and didn’t want to let them down. I think Milton’s teammates respected him as well but he appeared more happy go lucky - that may not have been true though.

 

[feathersax]

I do not believe that BS. Nic is a jackass but Nico is responsible for his own actions including not showing up to several team events. So sick of people making excuses for lack of accountability.

THIS. Good riddance.

 

[VolFan_stuck_in_the_901]

When dealing with unregulated situations like NIL and a culture (like Samoans) that are constantly seeking money, it’s a risk you take. Especially at QB.

Prediction: Nico will lead UCLA to a winning season and all the while confidence will be restored in our offense by Joey Aguilars play.
And all because he will block out Halze…

This is no secret- I AM NO FAN OF HALZLE- but Aguilar already has a ton of college game experience and habits (good and bad) that he’s tested under fire.

Meanwhile- Halzles over-coaching, risk adverse approach - will have minimal impact on a guy like Aguilar. Maybe just enough of the cautious narrative can turn out helpful. My guess is that he’ll block him out and throw the ball to all of our talented skill players and allow our run game to keep him on schedule.

I think there's a reason we brought Litrell in, and it's to handcuff Halzle even more. Another year of struggling offense and Halzle's getting shitcanned IMO

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

JG was vocal and beloved. Played hard and was tough as hell. He just unfortunately wasn’t very good.

You can credit that to him having a different offensive coordinator every single year he was on campus, and 2 bums as head coaches. The kid had talent and displayed that in a few games. The upset at Auburn was particularly great for him. If he had a Heupel type coach all his years at Tennessee he would’ve had a completely different kind of career. May be on an NFL roster still.

 

[sonofUT62]

You can credit that to him having a different offensive coordinator every single year he was on campus, and 2 bums as head coaches. The kid had talent and displayed that in a few games. The upset at Auburn was particularly great for him. If he had a Heupel type coach all his years at Tennessee he would’ve had a completely different kind of career. May be on an NFL roster still.

Absolutely. I loved the kid and felt like he was snake bit. It’s telling that Jones and Pruitt had Jennings had Trey and JJ in the locker room and still had bad culture. JG was a gamer. The TD against SC to Jennings is one of my favorites of all time.

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

Absolutely. I loved the kid and felt like he was snake bit. It’s telling that Jones and Pruitt had Jennings had Trey and JJ in the locker room and still had bad culture. JG was a gamer. The TD against SC to Jennings is one of my favorites of all time.

He gets way too much hate from our fanbase. The guy bled for this school, and he played through a broken hand for goodness sake! I love that he’s trying to get into the media and talk about the program that he loves. He played 4 years at Tennessee so as far as I’m concerned the dude earned his VFL status. We need to welcome him back with open arms instead of continually talking about what he did poorly. The guy laid it all on the line for Tennessee, and he deserves to be welcomed back.

 

[Skooter]

Vocal is nice then you have some out there that talk a lot and don’t do anything.
Dobbs and Hooker led with their play and demanded/earned respect. Nico came in with 8M and a clothing line and refused to do what leaders of a program do off the field. Refused NIL obligations. None of that goes unnoticed.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I think there's a reason we brought Litrell in, and it's to handcuff Halzle even more. Another year of struggling offense and Halzle's getting shitcanned IMO

Heupel almost never, perhaps even never, fires staff.

Litrell ran an impotent offense at OU last year and is essentially the first member of the "Heupel Coaching Rehab Center" which is not a bad thing to have. No one decent was going to hire Litrell after the year OU had on offense so Josh gave the guy a low pay analyst spot to get it back together, like Saban did at Bama for coaches.

Litrell hopefully isn't "next up" anytime soon. Look at OU last year. Halzle is here until he gets a HC job like Golesh did.

 

[adam.vol]

He’s Samoan. You all don’t understand his culture.

Not saying his culture is right or practical- because I don’t agree with many things about Samoan or pacific cultures in general.

But he trusts and above all MUST respect his father.

Unfortunately, his father is a jackass and lost his son a ton of money this year.
Even though he landed in a pretty good place at UCLA and playing for Sunseri.

Nico showed a lot of toughness in that Ohio State game. Family and honoring your parents are to the extreme in his culture.

That should be in every culture. Nico honored his father.

Hopefully Nico’s father made an OK decision for his family, but certainly didn’t raise a boisterous son in Nico. If I were hiring an 18 year old in the real world, I wouldn’t want someone who talks back and talks over everyone else. So I can’t say Nico’s quiet nature is a terrible way to raise a kid.