Nico Iamaleava appears set to keep his college career going, and the plan now is reportedly tied to UCLA.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos on Thursday night, the former Tennessee quarterback “plans” to remain with the Bruins for the 2027 season. He is not expected to enter the NFL Draft.
The decision comes after a season that started fast for UCLA and then ended with Iamaleava on the sideline. He helped the Bruins race to a 5-0 start as the starting quarterback before suffering an injury Oct. 11 against Oregon. Later in the month, he had season-ending surgery on his left knee.
In his time leading UCLA this season, Iamaleava threw for 982 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. He also added 144 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Before the injury, Iamaleava had been viewed as a possible part of the 2027 NFL Draft quarterback class. Now, the thinking seems to be that he and UCLA want another shot at a full, healthy season before making that jump.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid had already slotted Iamaleava as the eighth-best quarterback prospect in the class earlier this month. Reid projected him as a Mid-to-late Day 2 pick, which could place him in the second or third round. That evaluation came before the injury.
“A tall, slender passer, Iamaleava has a towering frame that helps him see and scan defenses,” Reid wrote. “He plays with a balanced base and has advanced mechanics to wind up and find holes against the opposition.
Iamaleava’s mobility is a plus, as he can be an extension of the run game but isn’t used enough in that fashion. His long-striding agility is on display when making throws on the run and escaping pressure in the pocket.
He keeps his eyes downfield when pressured and can make subtle movements to help him steer clear and toss passes on the move.”
Iamaleava’s latest chapter at UCLA followed a year in which he completed 64.4% of his passes for 1,928 yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. That came after he entered the transfer portal out of Tennessee in the spring window.
Tennessee answered by bringing in Bruins quarterback Joey Aguilar, and Aguilar responded with a strong season of his own for the Vols, throwing for 3,565 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Before leaving Tennessee, Iamaleava had been the Vols’ full-time starter during their 2024 College Football Playoff run. He put up 2,616 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions that season. Tennessee’s offense had its struggles, but Dylan Sampson broke out and the defense was one of the best in the country.
Iamaleava arrived in Knoxville as a five-star freshman in 2023, spent the regular season behind Joe Milton III, and made his first career start in Tennessee’s 35-0 Citrus Bowl win over Iowa.
He has one year of collegiate eligibility left, and the reported plan is to use it with UCLA.
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