Nico Iamaleava has a new team, as he confirmed on social media that he will be heading to UCLA in the transfer portal.
Before making the announcement, the UCLA coaching staff reportedly told its quarterbacks that the former Tennessee Volunteers signal-caller is expected to transfer to the Bruins, per ESPN.
UCLA has been connected to Iamaleava since he entered the transfer portal after a reported rift with Tennessee over NIL negotiations.
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Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)
“My journey at UT has come to an end,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be.
“Even though this chapter is ending, a new chapter has begun and I am committed to UCLA!”
NICO IAMALEAVA COULD LOSE MILLIONS WITH NEW TEAM AFTER TENNESSEE NIL DRAMA: REPORT
Iamaleava also touched on his faith before explaining his decision.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His grace, for continuing to bless my family, and for allowing me to live out my passion each and every day,” he wrote.
Drama surrounded Iamaleava and Tennessee, the latter of which stood firm against the former’s alleged NIL demands as Iamaleava’s father, Nic, had been publicly denying that his son was leaving the program for financial reasons.
Iamaleava’s NIL drama with the Vols sent shock waves through college football because he became the first-ever college player to hold out from a program for a bigger payout. His deal was reportedly worth up to $10 million over multiple seasons, and he was set to make $2.4 million this upcoming season, during which he could set himself up as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
ESPN reported that Iamaleava was seeking a deal worth $4 million for next season with Tennessee, which he led to the College Football Playoff last season. He reportedly felt he deserved what other quarterbacks who transferred were getting, including Carson Beck, who left the Georgia Bulldogs to join the Miami Hurricanes.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava throws the ball during the first quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 30, 2024. (IMAGN)
Nic Iamaleava, Nico’s father, denied his son was pushing for more NIL money before the season, telling Front Office Sports this past Monday, “The narrative was bulls—.”
Vols head coach Josh Heupel’s comments on the matter appeared to confirm Iamaleava was left off Saturday’s spring game roster due to a financial rift.
“No one is ever bigger than the program,” Heupel said while thanking Iamaleava for his services to the team. “That includes me, too.”
“To the amazing people in Knoxville, thank you for embracing and uplifting me throughout my time there,” Iamaleava wrote about his time with Tennessee. “I’ll be forever thankful for the support you showed me every step of the way and I’ll always cherish the relationships I built there and the memories I created with my brothers. I believe with all my heart that I gave my all as a Volunteer. I’m truly grateful for the time I had at UT.”
Now heading to UCLA, Iamaleava goes back to Southern California, where he emerged as a five-star prospect out of Long Beach. He was recruited by UCLA out of high school, and his younger brother, Madden, previously committed to the Bruins before signing with Arkansas.
DeShaun Foster, heading into his second year as head coach, gets a major upgrade at the most important position on the field.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava walks off the field after the win over Kentucky, Nov. 2, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Saul Young/News Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards with 19 touchdowns last season. Tennessee earned a College Football Playoff spot but fell to Ohio State and saw their national title hopes crushed.
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