The quarterback room at UCLA is locked in and ready to roll heading into the 2026 season-and that all starts with Nico Iamaleava. The Bruins got exactly what they needed this offseason: a commitment from their starting quarterback to return, bypassing the transfer portal and instead doubling down on his role as the face of the offense.
Iamaleava is back under center after throwing for 1,928 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, and while those numbers don’t leap off the page, they only tell part of the story. His return gives UCLA stability at the most important position on the field, and more importantly, it gives them a high-ceiling talent who’s still developing.
There simply wasn’t a quarterback available in the portal with a better combination of upside and familiarity with the system. That’s a win for head coach Bob Chesney and offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy.
With Nico locked in, the dominoes fell quickly. Luke Duncan, who had been in the mix as a potential backup, hit the portal early-likely recognizing that Iamaleava’s return meant the starting job wasn’t going to be up for grabs.
Duncan landed at Nevada, where he’ll have a shot at competing for QB1. Meanwhile, Nico’s younger brother, Madden Iamaleava, slides into the backup role.
It's a notable development-not just for depth, but for the future. Madden could be in line to take over once Nico heads to the NFL, which, if all goes to plan, could be as soon as next year.
The Bruins also saw longtime backup Henry Hasselbeck transfer out to Appalachian State in search of a clearer path to playing time. To fill out the room, UCLA brought in Ty Dieffenbach from Cal Poly via the portal. He adds another arm and some experience to a group that now has a clear pecking order: Nico as the starter, Madden as the heir apparent, and Dieffenbach providing depth.
But let’s be clear-this offense runs through Nico. That’s why the Bruins went to work this offseason surrounding him with talent.
They brought in a wave of transfers, including playmakers like Wayne Knight and Leland Smith, and bolstered the offensive line to give their quarterback the protection he needs to operate. Chesney and his staff didn’t just retain their most important piece-they built around him with intent.
Now it’s on Kennedy to scheme it up. With a full offseason to tailor the offense to Nico’s strengths and a roster that’s been retooled to support him, the table is set. If Nico takes the next step-and the Bruins get the kind of production they believe he’s capable of-this could be a breakout year not just for the quarterback, but for the program.
UCLA’s quarterback situation isn’t just stable-it’s promising. And in a college football landscape where quarterback turnover is the norm, that’s no small thing.