Tennessee Quarterback Nico Iamaleava Transfers to UCLA, Shakes Up Roster

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Quarterback Nico Iamaleava officially announced his transfer from the University of Tennessee to UCLA on Sunday via a social media post. “My journey at UT has come to an end,” he wrote on Instagram. “This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be. Even though this chapter is ending, a new chapter has begun and I am committed to UCLA!”

Iamaleava, a top recruit who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season, ranks No. 1 in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings. His arrival will significantly bolster UCLA’s roster ahead of a season where the Bruins are looking to improve upon a 5-7 record in coach DeShaun Foster‘s debut year.

The Long Beach, California native was a five-star recruit and had initially committed to Tennessee in March 2022, following a lucrative NIL deal with Spyre Sports Group that paid him over $8 million throughout his four years. With ambitions to request a contract raise, Iamaleava entered the transfer portal with a ‘do not contact’ tag on April 16.

Coach Josh Heupel confirmed that Iamaleava missed practice before Tennessee’s spring game, prompting the decision to move forward without him. Heupel emphasized, “There’s no one bigger than the Power T, and that includes me,” underscoring the program’s team-first philosophy.

Last season, Iamaleava passed for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions, leading Tennessee to a 10-3 record. However, the Volunteers’ offense struggled against top-tier SEC competition. The team ranked ninth in scoring with 25.0 points per game. Despite participating in the College Football Playoff, Iamaleava’s performance against SEC teams raised questions regarding his potential.

UCLA’s offense, having finished 14th in scoring and 12th in total offense in the Big Ten, is expected to benefit from Iamaleava’s addition. The Bruins also signed Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar earlier this offseason, resulting in a potentially crowded quarterback room following Iamaleava’s commitment.

Deshaun Foster is tasked with implementing an effective offensive strategy, having appointed Tino Sunseri as the new offensive coordinator. Sunseri previously coached at Indiana, during which he helped the Hoosiers secure a playoff spot with quarterback Kurtis Rourke. Iamaleava’s experience could provide a pivotal advantage as the Bruins strive to bolster their offensive capabilities.

The transfer process also highlighted growing tensions in Iamaleava’s situation at Tennessee, with unmet financial demands and concerns regarding the Vols’ offensive line and receiving corps issues. With spring practice and transfer portal windows closing on April 25, both UCLA and Tennessee are in critical phases of roster reconstruction.

As Iamaleava embarks on this new chapter, his impact at UCLA rests on the ability to transition smoothly and adapt to Foster’s strategic vision, potentially reshaping the Bruins’ standing in college football.