Nico Iamaleava, the former Tennessee quarterback, is experiencing a challenging transition in his collegiate football career after transferring to UCLA. As of September 12, 2025, Iamaleava remains winless in Westwood, with UCLA suffering a significant loss to New Mexico, 35-10. This defeat marks a noteworthy milestone for the Lobos, earning them their first victory against a power-conference team since 2008, as highlighted by the Big Ten Network broadcast.
In the game against New Mexico, Iamaleava’s performance was a mixed bag. He completed 22 of 34 passes for 217 yards, accompanied by one touchdown and one interception—a pattern that has developed over his last two games. Additionally, he rushed six times for 33 yards. The game took place at the Rose Bowl, where UCLA had invested $1.2 million to host the Lobos, raising questions about the return on investment given the disappointing outcome.
Statistical Overview of Iamaleava at UCLA
In his early tenure at UCLA, Iamaleava’s performance captures the volatility often seen in young quarterbacks. Over three games this season, he has thus far thrown for 391 yards on 40 completions with two touchdowns and two interceptions. His debut game was marked by struggles; in a 43-10 loss to Utah, he recorded 136 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception, alongside 47 rushing yards on 13 carries.
His performance did show improvement against UNLV, where he managed to complete 29 out of 41 passes for 255 yards and another touchdown, albeit punctuated by another interception that hindered a potential comeback.
A Look Back: Iamaleava’s Tennessee Tenure
Before his time at UCLA, Iamaleava’s collegiate football journey began at Tennessee, where he spent two seasons. He played 18 games, making 14 starts during his tenure, including leading the Vols during their College Football Playoff run in 2024. In that season, he boasted impressive numbers, throwing for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only five interceptions.
However, his performance in SEC games revealed a stark drop-off; he managed just nine touchdowns over eight SEC games, capitalizing on a weakened Vanderbilt team in their finale. Summarily, Iamaleava completed 241 of 379 passes in his UT career for 2,930 yards, with a solid rate of efficiency, but questions remained regarding his play against stronger defenses.
Reasons for the Transfer
The split between Iamaleava and Tennessee was reportedly fueled by a significant NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) dispute. Tensions escalated leading up to the 2024 spring game when coach Josh Heupel announced to the team that Iamaleava would no longer play for the Vols. The crux of the issue lay in Iamaleava’s NIL deal, which had initially earned him over $2 million per year. His family sought an increase to $4 million, using the potential of entering the transfer portal as leverage in negotiations.
By April 16, Iamaleava entered the transfer portal, eventually concluding a swift transition to UCLA. The dynamics of NIL deals in college sports have become increasingly complex, significantly impacting player movements and influencing team composition.
Future Outlook for Iamaleava
As Iamaleava navigates this difficult start at UCLA, the question arises: can he turn around his fortunes? UCLA’s coaching staff and support system will play crucial roles in his development. The sophomore quarterback’s skill set, characterized by a strong arm and dual-threat capability, encapsulates potential—if he can harness that talent effectively against formidable opponents.
Moreover, the coaching staff may need to reconsider their offensive strategy to better suit Iamaleava’s strengths. An offensive line that can provide adequate protection and a play-calling strategy that mitigates the risk of turnovers will be essential as the season progresses.
There are parallels to draw between Iamaleava’s current situation and that faced by many quarterbacks at pivotal points in their careers. The pressure can be immense, especially when transitioning from a high-profile program like Tennessee to another strong program in UCLA. Building confidence in the pocket, developing chemistry with his receivers, and eliminating costly mistakes will be key areas of focus for Iamaleava in the coming games.
Conclusion
While Nico Iamaleava’s start at UCLA has been rocky, the path forward remains open. As the former five-star recruit, he carries the weight of expectation not only from UCLA fans but also from enthusiasts who followed his trajectory from Tennessee. With the right guidance, adaptation tactics, and a supportive environment, it’s possible for him to shift the narrative of his struggling start into a story of resilience and resurgence.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Iamaleava can build upon the lessons learned from each game and thereby find the success that has thus far eluded him in Westwood. The college football landscape continually evolves, and in this backdrop, Iamaleava’s journey will be one to closely monitor as the implications of his performance—both on and off the field—continue to unfold with each passing game.
