Nico Iamaleava reflects on transfer from Tennessee to UCLA

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava remains committed to his decision to leave Tennessee following his 2025 departure. Iamaleava denied reports that his exit was motivated by a request to increase his annual NIL compensation from $2 million to $4 million. Instead, he cited the emotional toll of living 2,000 miles from his home in Long Beach as the primary reason for entering the transfer portal. After a challenging 2025 season where UCLA finished with a 3-9 record, Iamaleava considered his future but ultimately opted to remain with the program under new head coach Bob Chesney. The quarterback now focuses on team success, supported by his family and teammates in Los Angeles.

• 9:16 AMYahoo Sports — A year after Tennessee divorce, Nico Iamaleava has no regrets