Ranking Tennessee volunteers best options at QB for 2025 season after Nico Iamaleava departs for NFL……

Ranking Tennessee Volunteers’ Best Options at QB for 2025 Season After Nico Iamaleava Departs for NFL

 

The Tennessee Volunteers are facing a significant change at the quarterback position heading into the 2025 season, following the departure of highly-touted quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who declared for the NFL Draft. Iamaleava, the five-star recruit who had been expected to lead the Vols into a new era of offensive football, will now pursue his professional career, leaving Tennessee with a void at one of the most crucial positions on the field.

 

With the 2025 season fast approaching, the Vols’ coaching staff, led by head coach Josh Heupel, will need to evaluate their quarterback options carefully to find a leader capable of continuing the team’s upward trajectory. Below, we rank Tennessee’s best options at quarterback for the 2025 season, taking into account both experience and potential.

 

1. Joe Milton III (Redshirt Senior)

 

Overview: Joe Milton is the most experienced quarterback on Tennessee’s roster following Iamaleava’s departure. Milton, a former Michigan transfer, has had a mixed tenure at Tennessee but has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly with his strong arm and deep ball accuracy. He started multiple games for the Vols in 2023 and 2024, leading them to some key victories, although consistency remained an issue.

 

Pros:

 

Arm Strength: Milton possesses one of the strongest arms in college football, able to make throws across the field with ease. This could make him a dangerous weapon in Heupel’s up-tempo, pass-heavy offense.

 

Experience: With over a season’s worth of starts, Milton has the game experience necessary to step in as the starting quarterback. His familiarity with the system gives him an edge over younger, less experienced players.

 

Leadership: Milton is a veteran who has been through the highs and lows of college football. His leadership could be a key factor in helping Tennessee navigate the post-Iamaleava era.

 

 

Cons:

 

Inconsistency: Milton’s main knock has been his inconsistency, particularly with accuracy and decision-making under pressure. If he is to thrive as Tennessee’s starting quarterback in 2025, he must improve in these areas.

 

Toughness in big games: While Milton has had some big moments, he has struggled in high-stakes games, and his ability to perform under pressure remains a question mark.

 

 

Conclusion: Milton is the most logical option to start in 2025 given his experience and raw talent. He has all the tools to succeed, but he’ll need to work on his consistency and mental toughness to become a more reliable option for Tennessee.

 

2. Tayven Jackson (Sophomore)

 

Overview: Tayven Jackson, a former four-star recruit, is another highly touted option for Tennessee in 2025. Jackson has had limited playing time in his first two seasons but has impressed coaches and teammates with his potential. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, Jackson demonstrated flashes of brilliance, showing the mobility and arm strength necessary to thrive in Heupel’s system.

 

Pros:

 

Athleticism: Jackson has good mobility, a key asset in today’s college football landscape. His ability to extend plays with his legs could add another dimension to Tennessee’s offense.

 

Potential: Jackson has a lot of upside. His natural arm strength and comfort with the system make him an intriguing long-term option for the Vols.

 

Work Ethic and Leadership: Jackson has developed a reputation for his work ethic and leadership in the locker room, which will help him gain the trust of his teammates.

 

 

Cons:

 

Lack of Experience: While Jackson has shown promise, he has limited in-game experience. Throwing him into the starting role in 2025 could be risky, especially if the team is aiming for a strong season.

 

Development: Jackson will need to continue refining his decision-making and mechanics before he can become a consistent starting quarterback at the collegiate level.

 

 

Conclusion: Jackson is likely to be one of the front-runners for the starting role in 2025, given his potential and familiarity with Heupel’s system. However, he will need to take significant strides in his development to be a serious contender for the job.

 

3. Kade Klubnik (Freshman)

 

Overview: Kade Klubnik is a 2025 four-star recruit who comes to Tennessee with high expectations. Klubnik, a dual-threat quarterback from Georgia, was a standout in high school and is considered one of the top quarterback prospects in his class. While he is entering college as a true freshman, his talent has many people around the program excited about his future.

 

Pros:

 

Natural Talent: Klubnik is a talented dual-threat quarterback, able to make plays both through the air and with his legs. His ability to read defenses and make quick decisions could help him thrive in Heupel’s fast-paced offense.

 

Poise and Confidence: Despite being a freshman, Klubnik has a strong football IQ and maturity that sets him apart from other young quarterbacks. His poise under pressure could help him adjust to the speed of the college game more quickly than expected.

 

Skill Set: Klubnik has a versatile skill set, including excellent footwork, accuracy, and a strong arm. His potential is sky-high.

 

 

Cons:

 

Freshman Learning Curve: As a true freshman, Klubnik would face a steep learning curve in adapting to college football’s speed and complexity. Relying on him as a starter in 2025 may be a bit of a gamble.

 

Inexperience: Even with his talent, Klubnik’s lack of game experience could make him prone to mistakes early in his career, which might hinder his ability to lead the team to success.

 

 

Conclusion: Klubnik is a promising talent with high upside, but throwing him into a starting role right away could be risky. If the Vols are in a rebuilding phase and willing to be patient, he could be a key part of the team’s future.

 

4. Nico Iamaleava’s Successor (Future Transfer/Recruit)

 

Overview: If Tennessee seeks a more experienced player to fill the gap left by Iamaleava, the Vols could explore the transfer portal for an experienced quarterback or pursue another high-profile recruit for the 2026 class. Given the recent success of Heupel’s offense, it’s not out of the question that a talented quarterback could be enticed to join the program.

 

Pros:

 

Immediate Impact: An experienced transfer quarterback could potentially make an immediate impact and provide stability at the position, allowing Tennessee to remain competitive in 2025.

 

Adaptability: If Tennessee is able to land a proven quarterback, they could step into the system quickly and elevate the team.

 

 

Cons:

 

Uncertainty: The transfer portal is always a gamble, and bringing in a player with no familiarity with Heupel’s offense could present challenges.

 

Unclear Fit: Not all transfers fit into the high-speed, high-efficiency style of offense that Tennessee runs, which could be an issue if the coaching staff doesn’t find the right match.

 

 

Conclusion: While this is the least likely option for 2025, a talented transfer or incoming recruit could provide the stability needed for the Vols to maintain success in the post-Iamaleava era.

 

Conclusion: A Critical Year for Tennessee’s Quarterback Position

 

With Nico Iamaleava’s departure to the NFL, Tennessee faces an important decision at quarterback for the 2025 season. Joe Milton, with his experience, seems like the natural choice to start, but younger quarterbacks like Tayven Jackson and the incoming Kade Klubnik are certainly worth watching. Regardless of who is under center, the Vols will need strong leadership and solid play at quarterback to stay competitive in the SEC and continue their upward trajectory under Josh Heupel.