QB Nico Iamaleava commits to UCLA after Tennessee exit

Field Level Media|published: Sun 20th April, 19:12 2025

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) walks off the field after the win over Kentucky after an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Nico Iamaleava is officially headed to UCLA, one week after the quarterback's messy, NIL-driven departure from Tennessee.

Iamaleava's representation went to Tennessee seeking to renegotiate the former five-star prospect's name, image and likeness deal, On3 first reported last week. The deal Iamaleava originally signed with Tennessee's collective out of high school paid him $2.4 million per year; Iamaleava's camp was seeking $4 million annually.

When Iamaleava skipped practice and team meetings April 11, the day before the Volunteers' spring game, it prompted coach Josh Heupel to part ways with the QB.

Iamaleava entered the transfer portal when it opened for the spring window this week. UCLA was long considered a potential destination, partly because he is from Long Beach, Calif., and his younger brother Madden was once committed to the Bruins before reneging and choosing Arkansas.

"My journey at UT has come to an end," Iamaleava wrote in an Instagram post Sunday. "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!"

The details of Iamaleava's NIL agreement at UCLA were not yet known, but he is presumed to be the Bruins' new No. 1 quarterback entering the 2025 season.