Nico Iamaleava QB Tennessee | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Nico Iamaleava QB Tennessee
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/27/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.75 seconds (67%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.2 DOB: 09/02/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: Mobile Pocket Passer | |
| Last Updated: 09/27/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.75 seconds (67%*) | |
| Age: 20.2 DOB: 09/02/2004 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 92.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Release Speed: |
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86% |
| Short Passing: |
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80% |
| Medium Passing: |
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94% |
| Long Passing: |
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99% |
| Rush/Scramble: |
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57% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 5
Overall Rank:
#4
Position rank:
#2
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| College Games: 15 College Snaps: 765 | ||
ESPN RATING: 89/100
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247 RATING: 100/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
Nico Iamaleava, a 6'6", 215-pound quarterback from Long Beach, California, is a dynamic athlete with exceptional physical attributes and a strong football pedigree. Coming from a family with a rich athletic background, he has siblings who have excelled in sports like volleyball and football. At Warren High School, Iamaleava was a consensus five-star prospect and one of the top quarterback recruits nationally, ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2023 by On3.During his high school career, he threw for over 5,900 yards and 79 touchdowns, adding significant rushing yards and scores. His senior year stats included 1,726 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, along with 399 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He was named the 2022 Polynesian High School Player of the Year and earned Offensive MVP honors at the Polynesian Bowl.
At the University of Tennessee, Iamaleava redshirted his freshman year in 2023, serving as the backup quarterback and appearing in five games. He made his first collegiate start in the 2024 Citrus Bowl, leading the Volunteers to a 35-0 victory over Iowa and earning MVP honors. In the 2024 season, he has started nine games, throwing for over 1,700 yards and multiple touchdowns while also contributing on the ground. His accolades include being named SEC Freshman of the Week three times and earning spots on several watch lists, including the Maxwell Award and the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional arm strength allows for effortless deep ball throws, stretching defenses vertically and opening up the offense
- Impressive mobility for his size, with the ability to extend plays and pick up crucial yards on the ground
- Quick release and natural throwing motion, enabling him to get the ball out fast in pressure situations
- Excellent height at 6'6" provides a clear view over the offensive line and aids in scanning the field
- Demonstrated poise and leadership in high-pressure situations, as evidenced by his Citrus Bowl MVP performance
- Versatile skill set allows for effective execution in both pro-style and spread offensive schemes
- High level football IQ and ability to read defenses, showing improvement throughout his college career
- Highly productive in limited playing time, indicating potential for even greater output with more experience
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lean frame at 215 pounds; adding muscle mass could enhance durability at the next level.
- Needs to improve consistency in short to intermediate passing accuracy.
- Limited collegiate starting experience with only a handful of starts to date.
- Tendency to rely on arm strength, occasionally forcing throws into tight coverage.
- Footwork can become inconsistent under pressure, affecting throwing mechanics.
Scouting Report: Summary
With a rare blend of arm talent, athleticism, and football acumen, Iamaleava possesses the tools of a franchise quarterback. His ability to attack defenses vertically and extend plays with his legs makes him a dynamic threat. Offenses looking to build around a versatile and explosive signal-caller will find his skill set highly appealing.In the NFL, Iamaleava's talents are best utilized in schemes that emphasize downfield passing and incorporate designed quarterback runs. His knack for stretching the field and making plays outside the pocket can transform an offense, forcing defenses to account for both his arm and mobility. He fits seamlessly into modern systems that demand quarterbacks who can generate explosive plays through the air and on the ground.
Adjusting to the speed and complexity of pro defenses will be a challenge, but his physical gifts and proven poise in big moments suggest he's up to the task. With dedicated coaching and continued development, Iamaleava has the potential to emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in his draft class and become a cornerstone for an NFL franchise.
How other scouting services rate Nico Iamaleava (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
4.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
2.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.