Tennessee
Nico Iamaleava Named to Maxwell Watchlist
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been named to the Maxwell Award Watchlist.
College football is a little under a month away from kicking off which means the preseason awards and watchlists are going to start rolling in. One of which has already been announced is the Maxwell Award watchlist which Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava made the cut.
The Maxwell Award is often tied to the Heisman Trophy as it is awarded to the best player in college football. The organization released a list of 80 total players that made the preseason watchlist and Iamaleava was one of them. A substantial honor for the Volunteers as he has only started one game in his career against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl last season, so further cementing the preseason expectations for Iamaleava. Other notable names in the SEC to make the list were Georgia quarterback Cason Beck, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and Missouri’s Luther Burden.
The day is FINALLY here 🏈
Check out the 2024 #MaxwellFootball Watchlist 👀#MaxwellFootball 🔗: https://t.co/DvapuYnj8m pic.twitter.com/TAklTkqZSD
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) July 29, 2024
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel spoke very highly of Iamaleava at SEC Media Days ahead of a very pivotal 2024 season for the program.
“The bowl experience for him, I think, was a great experience where you feel the pressure, the ownership of having to know that you’re going to be the guy. I thought throughout the course of last season, he continued to grow in his consistency and how he prepared. He’s been urgent in everything that he’s done since he got back after the bowl game. Has had a great summer. Continuing to build timing and rhythm with our wide receivers, get on the same page before we get into training camp, and obviously excited to see him grow throughout the course of training camp.”
College football analyst Greg McElroy has been very adamant that he thinks Tennessee will be one of the better football teams. And for those reasons, he also thinks Iamaleava is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season. So much so, that he thinks the Volunteer could be a surprise Heisman Trophy winner in 2024. He had this to say on SEC Network when the group of analysts picked their sleeper Heisman contenders:
“I like Nico Iamaleava. I think Tennessee is a top-10 team. I know I’m probably a little higher on them than most. Other people are still in ‘wait and see mode’ which I totally support and I totally get that. I just think if Tennessee is going to be as good as I anticipate them being, that means that he’s gonna have a ridiculous year.”
Winning the Heisman in your first year starting would be a massive feat for Iamaleava and it likely would also mean he would take home the Maxwell Award at the end of the year as well.
Other Tennessee News:
Join the Community:
You can follow us for future coverage by clicking “Follow” on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @VolunteerCountry & follow us on Twitter at @VCountryFN.
The History of Earth Day
A comprehensive look at the evolution of Earth Day from its 1970 origins to a global environmental movement.
Earth Day, the annual event which promotes environmental protection and awareness, is this week.
Celebrating its 56th year, this year’s Earth Day theme is “Our Power, Our Planet,” which stresses the importance of communities, educators, workers and families working together toward environmental progress.
“‘Our Power, Our Planet’ is not a political statement. It is a commitment to stewardship, resilience, and shared accountability — a call for every individual, community, and sector to exercise their power in service of the planet we all depend on,” reads the 2026 manifesto.
To celebrate Earth Day 2026, the Tennessee State Parks system will be offering educational, recreational and volunteer events across the state.
Here’s what to know.
When is Earth Day 2026?
Earth Day is April 22.
According to Earthday.org, the movement’s founders — inspired by the student anti‑war protests of the 1960s and 1970s — chose a weekday falling between Spring Break and final exams to maximize the greatest student participation.
Why is Earth Day celebrated?
The history of Earth Day dates back to 1962 with Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestselling book, “Silent Spring” which raised awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and the links between pollution and public health.
U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, was concerned about worsening environmental conditions and galvanized by the massive 1969 oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara. He launched the idea that would become Earth Day.
Nelson partnered with Republican U.S. Rep. Pete McCloskey and activist Denis Hayes to organize nationwide teach‑ins on April 22, expanding the effort beyond college campuses and rebranding it as Earth Day, an event that quickly gained national media attention and widespread public participation.
Tennessee State Parks system celebrates Earth Day 2026
Here’s a look at events planned by region, happening on and around April 22.
West Tennessee
Middle Tennessee
East Tennessee:
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.
Enter your email and we’ll send a secure one-click link to sign in.
WKRN is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network.
Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy.
WKRN is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network.
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is a leading, diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports, and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms. The My Nexstar sign-in works across the Nexstar network—including The CW, NewsNation, The Hill, and more. Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Big hearts, small hands! Tennessee kids are stepping up to make a big difference this summer.
First Lady Maria Lee on Tuesday announced the eighth annual Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge, encouraging young students to dedicate part of their summer to helping others.
The program, part of the Tennessee Serves initiative, runs from June 1 through Aug. 1 and is open to rising kindergarteners through rising sixth graders across the state.
Participants must complete at least two hours of service across two of eight designated categories to finish the challenge, with top participants earning an invitation to a September carnival at the Tennessee Residence.
Since its launch in 2019, more than 3,500 children have contributed over 15,000 hours of service through activities ranging from park cleanups to assisting nursing homes and raising funds for disaster relief.
Registration opened Tuesday, with parents and guardians able to sign up participants and access additional details through the First Lady’s official website.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Go here for everyday ideas on ways to serve!
-
Miami, FL5 minutes agoCain, Kushner launch South Florida JV with plans for Edgewater rental tower
-
Boston, MA11 minutes agoMBTA Green Line trains out from Kenmore to Boston College on B branch through April 30
-
Denver, CO17 minutes agoNuggets vs. Timberwolves | 3 keys to a Denver win in Game 3
-
Seattle, WA23 minutes agoThe Honorable Brandon Lee Gowton Picks for Seattle at #32 | Field Gulls
-
San Diego, CA29 minutes agoPerson struck, killed by train in Encinitas
-
Milwaukee, WI35 minutes agoFatal opioid overdoses decline in Milwaukee County
-
Atlanta, GA41 minutes ago‘Rich and Unemployed’ podcaster sentenced for $3.8M scheme
-
Minneapolis, MN47 minutes agoEdina shooting leaves 1 dead, suspects on run