In college football, a helmet is more than just headgear—it’s a player’s identity. It shields them from brain-rattling hits, and for some teams, it’s a trophy case, plastered with stickers for every milestone. For Tennessee’s rising star, Nico Iamaleava, his helmet was like a ‘prized’ possession, a symbol of his rise. But hold onto your hats, folks, because things took a wild turn.

Right there in the opening drive of the Tennessee-Ohio State playoff clash, Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon laid down a bone-jarring hit on Nico. The impact was so fierce, it actually cracked Nico’s helmet! Picture this: a third-down rush, Nico scrambles, and BAM! Simon delivers a blow that not only rocked Nico but also shattered his helmet. Now, that’s a hit that’ll make headlines! This incident isn’t just about a broken helmet; it’s a reminder of the brutal nature of this sport. And hey, you gotta wonder what kind of high-tech, state-of-the-art helmet Nico was rocking before it met its demise.

Well, for the recent game, he sported the VICIS ZERO2 helmet instead of the Riddell SpeedFlex. One of the best helmets available is the VICIS ZERO2, which is specifically made for improved safety and performance. It has a flexible outer shell that efficiently absorbs impact forces. In addition to being 15% lighter than its predecessor, this model’s DLTA pod system allows for a customized fit, improving comfort and protection for individual athletes. The issue now arises: how much does it cost?

According to VICIS’s official website, Iamaleava’s helmet model cost about $899.99. It may seem a bit expensive to you, but the fact that it has so many functions makes it pricey. According to Chad Hall, chief marketing officer at Certor Sports, it is the best quarterback-specific helmet in the NFL.

Moreover, Hall said, “It is meant to absorb impact before it gets to the head, and then it works in tandem with the brains of the helmet the inside of the helmet, we call that our reflex layer, that reflex layer is specifically tuned for QBs. QB’s, in many cases, the impact they’re going to feel will be helmet-to-ground. That’s the majority of the impact a QB is going to take.”

Now, you might think the price is reasonable. However, you might be surprised that something this fancy could break after just four uses. Maybe it wasn’t built tough enough, or maybe that hit was just too hard. However, you could wonder when Nico initially introduced this revolutionary VICIS ZERO2. Was his first moment wearing this new helmet notable?

Nico Iamaleava’s appearance with a new helmet

Has it ever occurred to you how a single daring step might alter the entire rhythm or, occasionally, completely nothing? With the Vols playing the Bulldogs, Nico Iamaleava, the quarterback, undoubtedly had high expectations going into this crucial matchup. Everything was on the line in a contest that made the difference between SEC ranking and possible postseason ambitions. The Volunteers and their quarterback had a formidable job when they took the field against Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs. But what happened next blew everyone away and totally changed the Bulldogs’ season.

Nico Iamaleava’s major shift was related to his equipment rather than his strategy. The Vols quarterback unveiled a brand-new VICIS ZERO2 helmet, which may be an improvement over the Speedflex. Nico wore a new helmet for the first time. After experiencing symptoms similar to a migraine during the game versus Mississippi State, it appears to be a wise decision. He thought the renovation would be commensurate with the stakes of this intense SEC battle.

However, in that game, for a brief moment, Josh Heupel and Co. appeared to be making a statement as the Vols sprinted out to a scorching 10-0 in the first quarter. But Dawgs had other plans in the works. With a decisive 35-17 victory, they turned the tide of the game and crushed Vols’ hopes. The game crept away, and despite the gaudy new helmet, Nico couldn’t get his offense going and fell thin and empty. Now, let’s see how he performs in the game against OSU.