Indiana QB transfer ranked best in Big Ten, Iamaleava comes second

Nico Iamaleava received yet another preseason boost Thursday morning from ESPN college football analysts in this year’s Big Ten Preview, which listed the quarterback’s transfer to UCLA second-best in the conference, behind fellow QB Fernando Mendoza. 

The 6-foot-6 junior’s move from Tennessee was one of the most dramatic transfer situations to occur this offseason — nevertheless, it “was a stunner,” ESPN’s Max Olson wrote.

“This ordeal might have played out perfectly for the Bruins. They're getting a potential top-10 quarterback on a reduced contract who will generate a lot of attention for this program entering coach DeShaun Foster's second year,” Olson wrote. 

Foster’s Bruins, who finished 12th (5-7, 3-6) in the Big Ten last season, are ranked 14th heading into this fall. UCLA will rely on Iamaleava to lead them through a difficult schedule, which includes games against Ohio State and Penn State. 

Scout and analyst Tom Luginbill noted the Bruins roster will be less talented than what Iamaleava was used to in Knoxville, meaning the quarterback will have to perform better than ever.

“There is no debating that Iamaleava is one of the most physically talented quarterbacks in college football. He was highly coveted out of high school because of his stature, arm strength and athletic ability. During his one season as a starter, he showed flashes of brilliance but also mediocrity. He threw 19 touchdowns, but four of the nine touchdowns in SEC play came against Vanderbilt and seven came against Chattanooga and UTEP. Consistency is where he has to improve. He has the arm strength and overall talent to be a terrific vertical deep ball passer, but he has been wildly inconsistent in terms of accuracy in that regard,” Luginbill wrote.

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Olson expects Iamaleava to be motivated after departing Tennessee, but acknowledged the obstacles he’s facing as well. 

“The challenge going forward for Iamaleava is learning [offensive coordinator] Tino Sunseri's system and winning over his new teammates this summer,” Olson wrote.