The drama surrounding former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has come to an finish, with the 20-year-old heading again to his residence state of California to switch to UCLA.
UCLA’s quarterbacks room was notified of Iamaleava’s impending switch on April 20, per ESPN.
The information comes simply over per week after Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel introduced that this system was “moving on” from Iamaleava. It was beforehand reported by Bruce Feldman and FOX Sports activities’ Colin Cowherd that he was anticipated to hitch the Bruins.
With Iamaleava heading to Los Angeles, UCLA QB Joey Aguilar has been “gauging curiosity with different colleges,” ESPN reported. Aguilar transferred to UCLA from Appalachian State earlier within the offseason after being named second-team All-Sun Belt in 2023.
Iamaleava’s switch comes on the heels of his contentious departure from Tennessee. Iamaleava reportedly requested to be paid $2 million extra for his preexisting title, picture and likeness (NIL) deal. Iamaleava grew up in Lengthy Seashore, California, which is positioned roughly one hour south of UCLA’s campus.
[MORE: Joel Klatt: No villain in the Nico Iamaleava saga, but everyone should be careful]
Iamaleava dedicated to Tennessee in 2022 as a five-star recruit with an NIL package deal rumored to be between $8 and $9 million. After beginning only one sport in 2023, he grew to become the workforce’s full-time starter for the 2024 college football season.
Final season, Iamaleava totaled 2,616 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions and a 145.3 passer ranking, whereas finishing 63.8% of his passes. He additionally rushed for 358 yards and three touchdowns.
Iamaleava and the Volunteers completed 2024 with a 10-3 report and made the expanded School Soccer Playoff. The top of the road got here with a first-round drubbing by the hands of eventual nationwide champion Ohio State.
Iamaleava joins a UCLA program that is coming off a 5-7 season, its first within the Big Ten and first beneath head coach and former college operating again DeShaun Foster.
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