Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava is taking his talents to the West Coast.
According to a report from Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports 1, Nico Iamaleava has decided to transfer to the UCLA Bruins. This comes days after Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel announced that the star quarterback was leaving the program.
Contrary to widespread belief, Cowherd reports that Iamaleava’s decision is not about the money. Iamaleava left the Volunteers after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a pay raise in his NIL (name, likeness, image) deal.
News only broke on Saturday that Nico Iamaleava and the Volunteers were parting ways, with coach Heupel informing the program of the stunning development. Iamaleava skipped Tennessee’s spring practice on Friday, hoping to lock in a new NIL deal.
I am told — moments ago — Nico Iamaleava is going to UCLA. Family still claims it’s NOT about the 💰It’s about the @Vol_Football offense. I was not told what the Bruins are paying.
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) April 16, 2025
The 20-year-old Iamaleava joins the UCLA team with lackluster production from starting quarterback Ethan Garbers last year. Garbers completed 64.7 percent of pass attempts for 2,727 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Garbers became UCLA’s starter after ex-Bruin Dante Moore transferred to Oregon, backing up Dillon Gabriel. The latter took over as Oregon’s starting QB after Bo Nix entered the 2024 NFL Draft, but Gabriel is also set to turn pro at next week’s 2025 draft.
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Nico Iamaleava Had A Breakout Year In 2024
Iamaleava was a star quarterback at Warren High School in Downey, California, before beginning his college career at Tennessee. He became the starter in 2024 after Joe Milton III declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, eventually being taken in the sixth round by the New England Patriots.
In his first season as the starting QB, Iamaleava completed 63.8 percent of pass attempts for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and just five interceptions to go along with 358 rushing yards and three rushing scores.
