Note: This story was corrected on Jan. 2 to add Dylan Sampson as a part of a duo on the Vols' veteran offensive line.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Even by New Year's Day standards — the one day which is marked on everyone's calendar for the promise of new beginnings — this felt like the start of something truly special for the University of Tennessee football team.
The reason for that level of excitement rests squarely across the slim shoulders of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who made his first collegiate start against Iowa Monday but will still be a redshirt freshman next fall since bowl games don't count against eligibility.
Against the nation's fifth-best defense, which was allowing an average of just 14 points per game and had not given up more than 31 all season, the 6-foot-6, 206-pound throwin' Samoan accounted for 178 yards of total offense and four touchdowns to earn Citrus Bowl MVP honors.
But it wasn't just the pinpoint passes — he completed 12 of 19 attempts without an interception — or the samples of smooth strides — his 19-yard scoring run on a called keeper provided UT's first points — that should make Vols fans downright giddy with anticipation.
Just as impressive was the way Iamaleava handled early adversity with a calmness beyond his inexperience.
Tennessee's opening possession was stunted by back-to-back penalties on the offensive line followed by a sack, and the team's second drive also stalled after a promising start. The next two, however, accounted for 141 yards and a pair of rushing TDs by Iamaleava, which was more than enough cushion against Iowa's historically inept offense.
"Nothing was too big for him. He never got rattled," praised Tennessee coach Josh Heupel. "He was very efficient, composed and in control. From his communication, it was just an unbelievable job in his decision-making and even making some plays with his feet. Nico played really well.
"There are lots of areas to see him continue to grow, but he answered the challenge early in the game. It was great to see a young guy go out and perform that way in his first start."
Multiple young guys performed for the Vols in their 35-0 thumping of the Hawkeyes, as most of the game-deciding plays were turned in by players who will return in the fall. That included James Pearce Jr., who's arguably UT's best pure pass rusher since Leonard Little, who had a strip sack which set up Iamaleava's third scoring run as well as a tackle for loss and also returned an interception 52 yards for a TD.
Heupel will enter his fourth season as Vols boss with a quarterback he recruited into the program rather than one he inherited and then tried to mold into his system. The importance of that relationship can't be overstated.
Neither can the amount of talent that will surround Iamaleava, starting with a veteran offensive line that should return intact, a dynamic backfield of Dylan Sampson and Cam Seldon — a duo which was also making their debut as the main ballcarriers and answered by averaging 5.7 yards per carry in rushing for 188 yards — and a receiving corps stacked with playmakers.
The pass catching potential will rank among the nation's elite with the infusion of incoming freshmen Mike Matthews (a five-star recruit who's also rated as the nation's No. 9 overall prep player) and four-star Braylon Staley, plus transfer Chris Brazzell, a freshman All-American this past season at Tulane, and Notre Dame tight end transfer Holden Staes.
Veterans Bru McCoy and Dont'e Thornton should announce their intentions soon — both are likely to return — then potentially add Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart, a former five-star prospect who has been linked to the Vols by national recruiting insiders, and it's an embarrassment of receiving riches.
Putting that level of talent on the field will not only speed up Iamaleava's progression but also help the Vols offense more resemble the dynamic 2022 11-win squad than the one that sputtered at times this season.
Do that and Tennessee is guaranteed to earn a spot in next season's 12-team playoff.
"The standard is to win championships at Tennessee. Nobody shies away from that," said Heupel, who despite taking a slight step back this fall has led UT to its most wins (20) over a two-year span since 2003-04. "We have to continue to grow to put ourselves in position to go do that. I'm really excited about who's in that locker room, who's coming back and what we have an opportunity to go play for."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com