Tennessee Vols redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava had a play on Saturday night in UT’s win against the Kentucky Wildcats that should tell fans all they need to know about the former five-star recruit. 

It wasn’t a pass by Iamaleava. And it wasn’t a quarterback run. Instead, it was a Dylan Sampson rushing touchdown. 

In the fourth quarter, with the Vols trying to put Kentucky away, Sampson appeared to be stopped just short of the goal line. But multiple Vols, including Iamaleava, joined what can best be described as a rugby scrum to get Sampson into the end zone. 

And not only only did Iamaleava join the scrum, he lowered his shoulder and slammed his body into a Kentucky defensive lineman. 

Nico’s a dog. There’s no doubt about it after seeing that play. 

It hasn’t been perfect this season for the redshirt freshman quarterback. He’s had a couple of tough learning moments. But the five-star talent is obvious. And what’s even more obvious is his desire to win. Nico’s focus isn’t on his stats or where he stands in the Heisman race, it’s purely on winning. And his assist on Sampson’s final score of the game is evidence of his focus on winning.