Well it seems like Syracuse’s quarterback decision is set. Rickie Collins was named QB1 by Fran Brown just over a week ago. Even though he wasn’t able to play in the Spring Game due to a hand injury, he impressed people throughout the spring training window.
But imagine, just imagine, that the Orange still had an upgrade at quarterback left in them.
Is it realistic? Probably not. But hey, Nico Iamaleava, the former Tennessee gunslinger who SU was supposed to play in week one, is still on the market. And could Syracuse actually be in play for him?
Well, according to Clay Travis, yes. The writer tweeted that the Orange are in play for Iamaleava still.
It’s been quite a journey the past few weeks for the redshirt junior. It was initially reported that he was undergoing contract negotiations with Tennessee, and then said the two couldn’t meet middle ground. Then it was rumored that UNC was the likely landing destination. But now other reports say that’s not true either.
Can you really trust transfer portal rumors? Not really! But, imagine a world where SU did get him. This past season, while leading his team to the College Football Playoff, Iamaleava threw for over 2,600 yards, with 19 tounchdowns and five interceptions.
As great as having an SEC backup is for SU, getting a bonafide SEC starter…now that would be amazing.
What we already know is that Iamaleava wants a lot of money. He couldn’t get a deal done with Tennessee, a public southern school that usually brings in a ton of money. So could SU actually afford him? Probably not. The Orange may have just LOST their top receiver because of that reason.
But hey, it’s a fun thought. And if rumors get hotter of Iamaleava swapping one shade of Orange for another, SU fans should get excited.
