QB Nico Iamaleava Reportedly Heading to UCLA

In a bizarre turn of events, it appears as if QB Nico Iamaleava has found a new home.

The Southern California native recently left Tennessee in a bit of a controversy following alleged reasoning focused on presumably getting a raise from his current NIL deal.

The Volunteers let him go — and it created a very interesting situation where Iamaleava was searching for his next home. A host of schools were rumored to be involved. However, it appears as if Iamaleava is heading back home.

Media personality Colin Cowherd took to X and reported that Iamaleava is indeed going to end up with UCLA. While the Bruins likely don’t have pockets nearly as deep as the ones Tennessee had, Iamaleava gets to return to where he grew up in front of friends and family.

It’s a bit of a fascinating situation all the way around. UCLA went into the portal and spent a fair amount of money on Appalachian State QB transfer Joey Aguilar. Even more fascinating, Iamaleava’s younger brother Madden — also a quarterback — was the crown jewel of UCLA’s 2025 recruiting class. That was… until he flipped out of the blue to Arkansas on Signing Day, stunning the coaching staff and those following the program.

In two years with the Volunteers, Iamaleava has thrown for 21 TDs to only 5 INTs. Last season as a full-time starter, he threw for 2,616 yards.