In a major development ahead of one of the biggest games of the college football season, sources have confirmed to ESPN that Tennessee Volunteers starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been medically cleared to play against the Georgia Bulldogs this Saturday. The redshirt freshman’s status had been in doubt after he exited last week’s win over Mississippi State with a head injury.
Iamaleava’s return provides a huge boost to a Tennessee team right in the thick of the SEC championship race and College Football Playoff picture. Before being sidelined against Mississippi State, the young signal-caller was in the midst of his most productive outing yet against an SEC opponent, with two touchdown passes staking the Vols to a 20-7 halftime lead.
Iamaleava Practices, Trending in Right Direction
While Tennessee officially listed Iamaleava as questionable earlier this week, sources said he was able to practice, including in team periods, with the Vols’ staff optimistic he was trending in the right direction. Head coach Josh Heupel said on Monday that he felt Iamaleava would be in “great shape for Saturday.”
However, the final decision on Iamaleava’s availability fell to the team’s medical personnel. According to sources, doctors had been evaluating Iamaleava for concussion-like symptoms after he took a blow to the head against Mississippi State and did not return for the second half.
Offense Gets Additional Weapon Back
In addition to Iamaleava, dynamic Tennessee receiver Dont’e Thornton has also been cleared to play against Georgia after being listed as questionable with a hand injury. Thornton’s speed and big-play ability give Iamaleava another dangerous weapon in a high-powered offense.
“Having both Nico and Dont’e available makes a massive difference for our offense,” a Tennessee offensive coach told ESPN anonymously. “Those two have built up a special connection.”
Huge Stakes vs Georgia
The Vols will need all hands on deck against a Georgia squad that leads the nation in scoring defense. In last year’s meeting, a banged-up Tennessee offense sputtered in a 27-13 loss. But a healthier, more explosive unit seems poised for a better showing this time around – especially with Iamaleava at the controls.
For Tennessee, a win between the hedges would firmly entrench them in the CFP top four and put an SEC championship within reach. But the defending national champion Bulldogs stand in the way, aiming to derail those aspirations as only Georgia can.
A Season-Defining Opportunity
- An opportunity for Iamaleava to fully establish himself as one of the nation’s elite quarterbacks
- A chance for Tennessee to prove last year’s ascent was no fluke, even after losing key stars
- The latest installment of a rivalry that has produced instant classics and season-altering results
“This is the type of game that can define a season, for better or worse,” a person close to the Tennessee program told ESPN. “Having Nico lead us out there at full strength gives the entire team a different level of belief.”
Only time will tell if a healthy Iamaleava is enough to lead Tennessee to a monumental upset between the hedges. But after a week of uncertainty, this much is clear: the biggest game of Tennessee’s season just got its brightest star back. For the Vols and their playoff aspirations, Iamaleava’s return might’ve come just in time.
