Report: Nico Iamaleava becomes QB1 for Tennessee vs. Georgia after injury vs. Ole Miss | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 09: Nico Iamaleava #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers passes the ball in the first half during their game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on November 9, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava will reportedly be ready to take on the Georgia Bulldogs.

ESPN’s Chris Low reported that the freshman quarterback will return to the lineup for the Week 12 game against Georgia. He had left the team’s Week 11 win over Mississippi State after suffering a head injury and following concussion protocol.

Chris Low @ClowESPN

Nico Iamaleava returns to the line-up as @Vol_Football‘s starts Saturday evening with QB against Georgia, sources tell ESPN. Iamaleava practiced this week, including team periods, after taking a blow to the head and missing the second half of Miss’ win last week. State.

He had been mentioned as questionable for the game, but Low’s report confirms the Volunteers will operate at full strength for the game against their SEC rival.

Iamaleava has thrown for 1,879 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions while leading Tennessee to an 8-1 start to the season.

The program currently sits at No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings and a win over Georgia would be a big boost to the team’s hopes of a spot in the 12-team rankings.

Navigating that match without Iamaleava would have been a tough task, so having him in the middle will be huge. The Volunteers haven’t beaten the Bulldogs since 2016 and will have to step into Sanford Stadium to get the win.

The matchup starts at 7:30 PM ET.