Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is transferring to UCLA, a source told Bruce Feldman and David Ubben of The Athletic.
The Vols reached the College Football Playoff with Iamaleava under center last season. However, they decided to part ways with the star passer recently after he missed practice while the two sides unsuccessfully negotiated a new NIL deal.
Iamaleava officially entered the transfer portal Wednesday with a "do not contact" tag, which suggested he had already made a decision regarding his future. UCLA was immediately listed as a strong suitor for the California native. North Carolina and Tulane were also reported as potential options, but the Tar Heels and Green Wave were ruled out of the mix for the QB recently.
Iamaleava's deal at Tennessee was reportedly worth between $2.2 million and $2.5 million, but his representatives' new asking price was apparently $4 million. However, UCLA isn't expected to pay that amount, sources told ESPN's Chris Low. The Bruins' NIL agreement with their new signal-caller is worth less than $2 million, reports Sheena Quick of FOX Sports Radio1340.
The 20-year-old also wanted assurances that the Vols would improve their offensive line and receiving corps this year, according to Feldman and Ubben. Iamaleava's family claims his decision to join UCLA is not about the money, adding that it has to do with Tennessee's offense instead, per The Herd's Colin Cowherd.
A highly touted recruit in 2023, Iamaleava passed for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns against only five interceptions in 2024. He also rushed for 358 yards and three scores.
Joey Aguilar was originally projected to be UCLA's QB1 in 2025 after transferring from Appalachian State. With Iamaleava expected to join the Bruins, Aguilar's representatives have called other schools to gauge their interest in him, according to Low.
The quarterback position was one of UCLA's top priorities this offseason after the team went 5-7 in 2024 while averaging only 18.4 points per game.
