Tennessee’s two newest offensive linemen have good reasons to protect quarterback Nico Iamaleava from hits.
Arizona transfer Wendell Moe is from same community as Iamaleava in Long Beach, California. Notre Dame transfer Sam Pendleton just carries a personal vendetta against any defender that lays a hand on Iamaleava.
“I care about my guys. I have a real issue with people touching my quarterback (and) running back,” Pendleton said. “If you’re in the backfield, you’re my family. If you’re on my line, you’re even more my family.
“That’s how I play the game. I’m blocking to protect the man beside me and the man behind me. It’s not for personal growth. When you keep people healthy, you win ball games.”
Moe and Pendleton were key transfer portal pickups for the Vols, who must replace four starters on the offensive line.
Moe was a three-year starter at guard for Arizona, where he earned All-Pac-12 honors in 2023. Pendleton started seven games at guard as a redshirt freshman last season for Notre Dame en route to the College Football Playoff.
“(Moe and Pendleton) are guys that have played football at a high level,” offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said. “You didn’t see them give up pressures. You saw them in the run game being able to physically move people. They’re guys that can step in there right from the beginning if they end up on the field, and they will look like they’re supposed to be out there on an SEC offensive line.”
In spring practice, they’ve made a good first impression on UT coaches and teammates. They’re hard working, mature and, most importantly, intent on keeping Iamaleava healthy so he can blossom as a quarterback in 2025.
Nico Iamaleava reunites with high school teammate Wendell Moe
Moe and Iamaleava were briefly high school teammates.
In 2019, Moe was a junior at Long Beach Poly, and Iamaleava was a freshman. Iamaleava then transferred to nearby Warren High, and the two lost touch. But Iamaleava was ecstatic when the Vols landed a fellow Long Beach native from the portal.
“I always knew Moe was a dog,” Iamaleava said. “He’s going to hit somebody. So I’m glad we have him on our team.”
Moe and Iamaleava never knew each other well. But they’re from the same Polynesian community, and members of their families knew each other.
“I never got to play with Moe,” Iamaleava said. “But it’s crazy how it’s come full circle, and now we’re on the same team.”
Since Moe transferred to UT in January, they’ve developed a friendship that should help their on-field relationship when the season arrives.
“We’ve been chilling together, hanging out and talking football,” Moe said.
Why Sam Pendleton idolizes ‘The Hogs’ as lineman
Pendleton grew up far from California.
He is from Lawsonville, North Carolina, located about 260 miles east of Knoxville, and he considered coming to UT out of high school.
Pendleton attended UT’s junior day event as a recruit in January 2022. And his relationship with UT offensive line coach Glen Elarbee was a big reason for choosing the Vols as a transfer.
Unlike Moe, Pendleton had no previous link to Iamaleava. But he appears to adopt any quarterback that he’s tasked with protecting.
He said that mentality comes from his love of “The Hogs,” the famed Washington Redskins offensive line of the 1980s and 1990s. His father idolized that unit, and Pendleton followed suit.
“I loved how they carried themselves. They had some moxie,” Pendleton said. “If (the defense) touched a guy in the backfield, you handle it. I want to follow in their footsteps and bring some old school back to new school football.”
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Nico Iamaleava has bulked up to protect from hits
Starting offensive line spots are open for the taking. Only starting left tackle Lance Heard returns from last season.
The Vols must replace All-SEC center Cooper Mays, All-SEC right guard Javontez Spraggins, left guard Andrej Karic and right tackle John Campbell.
Larry Johnson and five-star freshman David Sanders should compete at right tackle. Moe is practicing mostly at left guard. Pendleton is practicing at right guard and center.
Moe and Pendleton certainly have a head start on UT’s young offensive guards in terms of playing experience.
Moe played 760 offensive snaps at Arizona last season, and Pendleton played 492 snaps at Notre Dame. Jesse Perry, Shamurad Umarov, Ayden Bussell and Max Anderson combined to play 247 offensive snaps for UT last season.
All Vols offensive linemen have the task of protecting Iamaleava, who was sacked 30 times and pressured 120 times last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Iamaleava said he’s gained five pounds this offseason, from 215 to 220, to help “endure some of those hits.” And he hopes to bulk up to 225 or 230 pounds to prepare his body for the physicality of the season.
But it’s clear that offensive linemen like Moe and Pendleton could help Iamaleava more than his weight gain.