.jpg)
4 hours ago
1
Nico Iamaleava announced his transfer to UCLA in an April 20 Instagram post, making his reported departure from Tennessee football official. After spending two years with the Volunteers, the 20-year-old quarterback sparked controversy with his demands for a $2 million increase in his NIL deal and a refusal to participate in team practice.
Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions as a redshirt freshman. He mustered 201.2 passing yards per game, ranking No. 57 among Division I signal-callers in total yards through the air.
Iamaleava competed in one of college football’s most elite conferences, leading the Vols to the third-best record in the SEC. The newest member of the Bruins has plenty of potential, and he was born and raised in Southern California. Iamaleava played his high school ball about half an hour from his new home at UCLA.
247Sports writer David Woods took to Twitter to praise UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster for taking a swing at Iamaleava. Woods believes the Bruins’ addition of Iamaleava could change the future landscape of the program.
“Adding Nico Iamaleava is a huge swing that DeShaun Foster needed to take, and it's a coup to land him, circumstances be damned,” Woods wrote. “Adding a QB of his caliber changes the complexion of next season, and by that token, has the potential to change the program's overall trajectory.”
Iamaleava has received plenty of criticism for the way he and his team handled things with Tennessee, but he will now focus on his next chapter in the City of Angels.
If he fulfills the potential that made him a top-two recruit out of high school, Iamaleava could emerge as the ultimate hometown hero for UCLA.
English (US)