College football’s landscape keeps shifting, especially with player transfers and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals changing the game. One name that keeps coming up is Nico Iamaleava—a former 5-star recruit whose NCAA journey has been anything but smooth.
He started as a standout at Tennessee. Now, after a rocky season, he’s decided to stay with UCLA.
Let’s dig into Iamaleava’s path, the choices he’s made, and what might be next for this young quarterback.
Nico Iamaleava’s Early Career and Transfer to UCLA
Nico Iamaleava was once ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the class of 2023 by 247Sports’ composite rankings. He kicked off his college football career at Tennessee, redshirting his first year.
In 2024, he stepped up as the starting quarterback. Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions, helping the Volunteers reach the College Football Playoff.
Despite that strong start, he entered the transfer portal in the spring. He said he wanted to be closer to his family.
Challenges and Struggles at UCLA
Iamaleava’s first season with the UCLA Bruins didn’t go as planned. He managed just 1,928 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and threw seven interceptions.
The Bruins wrapped up the season at 3-9, which stung for everyone involved. A weak offensive line and a coaching shakeup mid-season didn’t help matters.
Even so, Iamaleava showed flashes of his dual-threat skills, adding 505 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The team struggled, but he kept fighting.
The Role of NIL Deals and Transfer Decisions
NIL deals have played a big part in Iamaleava’s story. Early reports claimed his transfer from Tennessee was all about money—he supposedly wanted a new NIL deal and skipped practices while sorting it out.
But Iamaleava pushed back, saying his main reason was family. It’s tough to know exactly what drives these choices, but it’s clear that money and personal life both matter more than ever in college football.
Re-Signing with UCLA
Despite everything, Iamaleava’s sticking with UCLA. On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported that he re-signed with the Bruins.
For a while, nobody knew what he’d do next. He told USA Today’s Jordan Mendoza he was just focused on the game and practice, which kept fans guessing.
Looking Ahead: Iamaleava’s Future with UCLA
Now, Iamaleava gets a fresh start under new head coach Bob Chesney. He’ll try to rebound from a rough sophomore year and show everyone what he can really do.
This next season feels important. Can he prove that his early flashes of brilliance weren’t just a fluke?
Factors for a Successful Comeback
Several things could make all the difference for Iamaleava at UCLA:
- Improved Offensive Line: He needs better protection up front to have a real shot at making plays.
- Coaching Stability: With Bob Chesney leading the way, a steady coaching staff could help Iamaleava settle in and grow.
- Team Chemistry: Building trust and connection with his teammates will matter on and off the field.
- Mental Resilience: Shaking off last season and staying positive might be the toughest battle of all.
Conclusion
Nico Iamaleava’s path through college football hasn’t exactly been smooth. He started out as a 5-star recruit, full of promise, but lately, he’s hit some bumps at UCLA.
Now, he’s decided to stick with the Bruins and see what happens under new head coach Bob Chesney. Maybe that’s the fresh start he needs.
This next season? It’s going to matter—a lot. For more on what’s next for Iamaleava at UCLA, check out the full article on Bleacher Report.
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