Ari Wasserman: It's time for Tennessee fans to stop thinking about Nico Iamaleava

Tennessee Football fans don’t have to keep tuning in to UCLA games to see how Nico Iamaleava is playing at quarterback for the lifeless Bruins. Instead, On3’s Ari Wasserman wrote this week, just enjoy the show Joey Aguilar is putting on with the Vols. 

“It’s easy to understand why Tennessee fans enjoy hate-watching Nico Iamalaeava,” Wasserman said. “They felt betrayed by his actions. They are scorned lovers. But watching Joey Aguilar cook in Neyland Stadium felt like watching a Disney movie.”

Aguilar, the Appalachian State transfer by way of UCLA himself, was cooking against Georgia last week, throwing for 371 yards and accounting for four total touchdowns. 

He had three touchdowns in the first quarter alone — a 72-yarder and 14-yarder to Chris Brazzell II, after a 4-yard touchdown run on his own on the first drive — helping Tennessee jump out to a 21-7 lead. 

Up Next: No. 15 Tennessee vs. UAB, Saturday, 12:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network

Aguilar threw a 56-yarder to Brazzell in the third, too, with Brazzell finishing six catches for 177 yards and the three scores. And he threw a 32-yard touchdown to Braylon Staley in the fourth quarter to put Tennessee ahead 35-30. 

And Aguilar drove Tennessee into field goal range before Max Gilbert missed wide right from 48 yards on a kick that would have won the game. 

“They have a quarterback who fits in the system better than Iamaleava ever did,” Wasserman wrote. “That quarterback was hitting deep balls. That quarterback was gutsy in pivotal moments against Georgia. 

“Outside of sealing the win (obviously), how could that have gone better? It’s time to stop thinking about Iamaleava. It’s not even worth your time.”

Tennessee’s three starting wide receivers starring alongside Joey Aguilar

Aguilar has thrown for 906 yards and nine touchdowns, with two interceptions. He has rushed 11 times for 26 yards and a score. 

The combination of Brazzell, Staley and Mike Matthews at wide receiver are making Aguilar’s life at quarterback easier, too, while helping Tennessee fans forget about Iamaleava. 

Brazzell already has 20 catches for 364 yards and five touchdowns, after catching 29 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games last season. Staley has 18 catches for 231 yards and two touchdowns and Matthews has 13 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown. 

“Tennessee’s receivers made plays,” Wasserman wrote of the Georgia game. “Chris Brazzell II, Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews all of a sudden has become a nasty trio of wide receivers. They made Aguilar’s life so much easier. Receivers, man. You can’t say enough about how important they are.”