Nico Iamaleava Is Running It Back at UCLA - and Bob Chesney Just Got His QB1
There’s no place like home - and for Nico Iamaleava, that home is Westwood.
The UCLA quarterback made it official on Monday afternoon, announcing via Instagram that he’s returning for another season with the Bruins. It’s a major early win for new head coach Bob Chesney, who now knows exactly who will be under center as he begins building his version of the Bruins.
“Same vision. Same goals.
Same grind. Locked in.
Time to work!” Iamaleava posted, making it clear that he’s not just coming back - he’s coming back with purpose.
Iamaleava’s journey to UCLA was already one of the more unique quarterback stories in recent memory. After a high-profile transfer from Tennessee in the wake of a whirlwind NIL saga, the former top recruit landed in Los Angeles and quickly became the face of the Bruins’ offense in 2025.
And while UCLA’s season had its ups and downs, Iamaleava showed flashes of exactly why he was once the No. 1 recruit in the country.
In 11 games, he threw for 1,928 yards, 13 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, completing passes at a career-best 64.4% clip. But it wasn’t just his arm that turned heads - it was his legs, too.
At 6-foot-4, Iamaleava brought a dynamic presence to the Bruins’ backfield, rushing for 505 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He didn’t shy away from contact, either.
More often than not, he chose to fight for extra yards rather than slide, showing off a physical edge that energized his teammates and fans alike.
His signature moment? That came in one of the most unexpected wins of the season - a 42-37 upset over then-No.
7 Penn State. UCLA entered the game winless.
They left with a statement victory, thanks in large part to Iamaleava’s five-touchdown masterpiece. He threw for 166 yards and two scores, and added 128 rushing yards with three more trips to the end zone.
The performance didn’t go unnoticed: he swept the weekly awards circuit, earning Maxwell Award Player of the Week, Davey O’Brien Quarterback of the Week, and Walter Camp National FBS Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Now comes the next chapter - and another new system.
Iamaleava will be working with his third head coach and third offensive scheme in just one calendar year. That’s a lot of change for any quarterback, but the arrival of Bob Chesney might actually be the perfect fit.
Chesney’s offensive DNA is built around dual-threat quarterbacks - and he’s got the track record to back it up. Just last season, he helped James Madison’s Alonza Barnett III rack up over 2,500 passing yards and more than 500 on the ground.
That kind of production mirrors the exact skill set Iamaleava brings to the table.
For Chesney, this is a foundational piece. For Iamaleava, it’s a fresh opportunity to build on momentum and elevate his NFL Draft stock heading into 2027. The tools are all there - size, arm strength, mobility, and now, a full offseason to lock in under a coach who knows how to maximize quarterbacks like him.
UCLA’s offense is still taking shape, but one thing is certain: with Nico Iamaleava back in the fold, the Bruins have their leader - and their identity - heading into 2026.