LAS VEGAS — In his first public feedback since his tumultuous switch from Tennessee to UCLA in April, Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava mentioned Thursday the choice to go away the Volunteers was “one of many hardest selections I ever needed to make.”
“My driving issue to come back again residence was my household, and I hope each Tennessee fan understands that,” Iamaleava mentioned at Large Ten media days. “It was simply a whole lot of drama, however man, I am excited to be at UCLA.”
Iamaleava made a number of references to “false studies” about him whereas at Tennessee that centered on him and his illustration wanting greater NIL compensation. The Lengthy Seaside, California, native remained steadfast that the primary motivation for his transfer was not cash however proximity to household. He mentioned the studies made him really feel “not snug within the place I used to be in.”
“I feel simply the skin world, generally, thinks that it was one thing that it wasn’t,” Iamaleava advised ESPN. “Going again residence was at all times behind my head. Simply being again nearer to my household; [it] took a toll on getting my household to Tennessee. It was simply a whole lot of touring.”
ESPN reported in April that Iamaleava’s illustration had been pushing for his NIL contract — which had beforehand paid him $2.4 million per 12 months and was set to pay him greater than $8 million over his time at Tennessee — to extend to $4 million for 2025. Sources advised ESPN that Iamaleava’s camp additionally reached out to Miami, Ole Miss and Oregon, amongst others, about transferring after final season ended.
“I do not converse on cash issues,” Iamaleava mentioned Thursday. “I am simply right here for ball and college.”
Amid these NIL contract negotiations, Iamaleava didn’t present as much as a Tennessee spring apply. Shortly after, coach Josh Heupel mentioned this system was “shifting on” from Iamaleava.
“I wish to thank him for the whole lot he is executed since he is gotten right here, as a recruit and who he was as a participant and the way he competed contained in the constructing,” Heupel mentioned on the time. “There is no one which’s larger than the Energy T. That features me.”
On Thursday, Iamaleava known as the occasions of that week “loopy” and mentioned the expertise was “so much” for him. After the break up, Iamaleava shortly made his resolution to switch to UCLA. Quarterback Joey Aguilar, who had transferred to Westwood from Appalachian State in hopes of changing into this system’s starter, ended up transferring to Tennessee consequently.
“My mindset was going into compete with whoever was in there for the beginning spot,” Iamaleava mentioned of Aguilar. “I want him nothing however the most effective. I do know he will get the most effective followers on the market. Hopefully he will get to expertise all of the constructive issues that I skilled.”
Iamaleava redshirted in 2023 and threw for two,616 yards and 19 touchdowns in his first season as a starter in 2024, main Tennessee to 10 wins and a School Soccer Playoff look that resulted in a first-round loss to eventual nationwide champion Ohio State. Iamaleava is about to be the Bruins’ starter this season.
“The expectation is for me to be higher,” Iamaleava mentioned. “I acquired to get higher.”
UCLA is coming off a 5-7 file in coach DeShaun Foster’s debut season. Foster mentioned Thursday there was no hesitation about including Iamaleava to the roster when the chance introduced itself.
“We’re simply excited to have a playoff quarterback,” Foster mentioned. “Simply with the ability to come again residence and be snug and being in a well-recognized setting, I feel the sky is the restrict.”
