UCLA's Nico Iamaleava may face Tennessee-style karma with mass exodus after DeShaun Foster firing

Nico Iamaleava made the decision to transfer from the Tennessee Volunteers after months of unresolved disputes and ultimatums. He ultimately chose to transfer to UCLA, his hometown school, creating what has been called the first “trade” in college football history. However, Iamaleava’s camp believes Tennessee leaked news of his departure to shape public opinion negatively.

“Still, both sides were expected to remain together in 2025 until a report emerged publicly that Iamaleava was considering exploring the portal. Iamaleava's camp was furious; it believed Tennessee leaked the story to influence the public perception against a quarterback already flush with money. The Vols were frustrated the issue continued to pop up,” CBS Sports’ Chris Hummer and John Talty wrote.

Even after transferring, Iamaleava didn’t get everything he was demanding at Tennessee. The Bruins have had one of the worst starts in the NCAA this season. On Sunday, UCLA fired head coach DeShaun Foster.

“UCLA has fired coach DeShaun Foster. He started his second season there 0-3,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel wrote.

While Foster’s dismissal may seem premature, it could mark a moment of karma for Iamaleava. With only three games played, UCLA players may choose to sit out the rest of the season or enter the transfer portal to preserve a redshirt year.

“The timing of the firing is a surprise, as the Bruins have only played three games this season. If UCLA had played four games, most of their players wouldn't be able to redshirt, but given that they've only played three games, we could see a mass exodus making a terrible product even worse,” Saturday Blitz’s Nicholas Rome wrote.

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This situation could come full circle in the worst possible way for Iamaleava. He left Tennessee under contentious circumstances, and now his new team may end up walking away from him.

It’s a disastrous scenario for both Iamaleava and the Bruins — and eerily similar to the one he helped create at Tennessee just months ago. A result no one could have predicted, but one that may carry a sense of poetic justice.