Tennessee Volunteers Quarterback Drawing Buzz as Coaches Report He’s “More Advanced Than Hendon Hooker” at Same Career Stage

The echoes inside Knoxville are getting louder, and this time, they carry the weight of a bold proclamation. According to multiple Tennessee staffers and insiders close to the Volunteers football program, the buzz surrounding their current quarterback has reached a fever pitch. In a comparison that turns heads and stirs memories, reports say the Volunteers’ rising star is “more advanced than Hendon Hooker” was at the same point in his Tennessee career.

That’s no small praise. Hooker, who transferred to Tennessee from Virginia Tech and quickly emerged as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the SEC, left behind a legacy marked by poise, production, and leadership. He rewrote records in Knoxville and guided the Vols back to national relevance. To hear that someone may be ahead of him in development is enough to make Tennessee fans dream even bigger in the 2025 season.

The quarterback in question? Nico Iamaleava — the former five-star recruit out of California who took the reins following Joe Milton III’s departure. It was long expected that Iamaleava would be the future, but the future, it seems, may be arriving faster than anticipated.

According to team sources, Iamaleava’s command of Josh Heupel’s up-tempo offense has been nothing short of surgical this offseason. Coaches cite his ability to make full-field reads, anticipate coverages, and deliver the ball with elite velocity and accuracy. But perhaps the most impressive element? His maturity and composure in the pocket.

“He doesn’t get rattled,” one coach reportedly said. “He already sees the field like a veteran, and the way he works through his progressions — it’s rare. Honestly, he’s more advanced than Hooker was when he first took over here.”

For context, Hooker didn’t begin the 2021 season as the starter. He earned the job early in the season and went on to post 31 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. By 2022, he was a Heisman contender before a late-season injury cut his campaign short. Hooker’s decision-making, accuracy, and leadership were lauded nationally, and his impact on the Volunteers program was transformative.

So when Tennessee coaches and analysts compare Iamaleava to Hooker — and say he’s ahead of schedule — it adds significant weight to expectations in Knoxville.

Iamaleava, listed at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, has all the physical tools. But that’s just the baseline. What’s exciting Tennessee’s staff and sending shockwaves throughout SEC media circles is how quickly he’s mastered the mental side of the game.

“Physically, Nico’s gifted. Everyone knows that,” said another team source. “But he’s been lights out in the film room, too. He’s seeing things on tape that most young quarterbacks wouldn’t even know to look for. That’s what separates him.”

During the 2024 season, Iamaleava saw limited action behind Milton but made his mark in Tennessee’s Citrus Bowl win. Starting in place of the departed veteran, he looked sharp and composed, throwing for three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 38-24 win over Iowa. It was a glimpse — a trailer, if you will — of what might be coming in 2025.

In spring practices and closed scrimmages this offseason, Iamaleava reportedly built on that bowl game performance, demonstrating deeper mastery of Heupel’s tempo-heavy playbook. Whether it’s running RPOs, deep play-action shots, or keeping defenses honest with his legs, Iamaleava has been one step ahead.

“He’s dictating the pace now, not just reacting,” said one offensive assistant. “And he’s doing it while making NFL throws.”

The mention of the NFL isn’t premature. Iamaleava has already drawn attention from professional scouts who attended Tennessee’s spring practices. Several noted his mechanics, clean release, and uncanny ability to throw from multiple platforms. More than a few whispered that he could be a first-round pick down the line if his development continues on its current trajectory.

But inside the Tennessee program, there’s no rush to talk about the draft. The focus is squarely on 2025 and maximizing Iamaleava’s impact in what could be a defining season for Heupel’s program.

The Volunteers will need him at his best. The SEC, as always, is unforgiving. Georgia remains a juggernaut. Alabama, even in transition, is never an easy out. Texas and Oklahoma have joined the fray. And yet, Tennessee believes it has something special brewing in Knoxville, and that belief begins at quarterback.

Iamaleava will be throwing to a young but talented receiving corps, headlined by Bru McCoy and sophomore speedster Squirrel White. The offensive line returns key pieces, and the backfield is loaded with versatile weapons. With his unique blend of arm strength, mobility, and leadership, Iamaleava may be the final piece needed to elevate the offense from good to elite.

“I think the scariest part is he’s only going to get better,” said a defensive coach. “We threw a lot at him this spring. Blitz packages, disguised coverages, simulated pressure looks. He ate it up. And by the end, he was the one doing the diagnosing — not us.”

It’s not just coaches who are noticing the rise. Inside the locker room, Iamaleava’s growth hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates.

“Dude’s different,” said one returning wideout. “He’s not just a quarterback — he’s a leader. You can feel the confidence when he’s in the huddle. He’s taking control.”

That leadership, according to insiders, was one of Hooker’s greatest strengths. His teammates believed in him — not because of what he said, but because of how he carried himself. Iamaleava, still just a redshirt freshman, is already commanding that same respect.

As the summer progresses and fall camp approaches, the spotlight will intensify. SEC Media Days will bring questions, comparisons, and pressure. But if the reports out of Knoxville are to be believed, Iamaleava is ready for it.

He’s already ahead of the curve. Already a student of the game. Already more prepared, more poised, and more polished than many expected at this stage.

Is he truly more advanced than Hendon Hooker was when he started at Tennessee?

Only time — and the 2025 season — will tell. But right now, inside the walls of Neyland Stadium, there’s no denying the optimism. Coaches aren’t tossing around comparisons to Hooker lightly. It’s a statement made with belief, backed by observation, and fueled by results.

The Vols have their quarterback. And if he’s even better than the one who brought them back to the national stage — well, Tennessee fans may want to buckle up for something special.