The Nico Iamaleava era got off to a strong start. Fans in Knoxville, Tennessee, watched Iamaleava look in complete control against a top-5 defense in college football, playing a turnover-free game and scoring three rushing touchdowns. His first start lived up to expectations, and there’s a lot of reason to be excited heading into the 2024 season.
We saw a lot of young playmakers get a chance to impact the game in this one. Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was Tennessee’s best defensive player this season and will be their top returner heading into next season. He forced a crucial fumble on a strip-sack that led to a Tennessee touchdown and also tallied a pick-6 early in the fourth quarter.
The defensive effort was impressive, despite Iowa’s offensive standing entering the game. The Vols pitched a shut-out, rallying to the football all afternoon and disrupting the timing of the Hawkeyes’ offense. The defensive line made plays all afternoon and got the Hawkeyes of their spot.
Tennessee has been putting in work this portal season, bringing in multiple talented athletes on both sides of the football. The coaching staff has added Tulane wide receiver Chris Brazzell and Notre Dame tight end Holden Staes, but they still have their eyes set on big fish.
Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart entered the transfer portal and already has a lengthy list of suitors. He amassed 38 receptions, 514 yards, and four touchdowns in 2023 and is currently the No. 1 uncommitted prospect in the portal. The top-rated transfer measures 6-0 and 175 pounds. He was a five-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class and the No. 11 overall player, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
