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UCLA coaches reportedly inform team of Nico Iamaleava’s expected transfer
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While nothing is official yet, Nico Iamaleava appears to be headed to UCLA.
Reports of Iamaleava’s interest in the Bruins began circulating earlier this week. Now, ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting that UCLA coaches have begun informing the roster of Iamaleava’s pending arrival.
Thamel said this is a “key step” in the process for Iamaleava to ultimately end up at UCLA:
Iamaleava’s controversial exit from Tennessee has been the top story in college football all week. It remains to be seen what kind of NIL package Iamaleava will secure from UCLA should this deal be finalized. Iamaleava is from Southern California, so he would be moving back closer to home as well.
UCLA previously signed a transfer quarterback in this cycle: former App State QB Joey Aguilar. The former Mountaineer put up back-to-back seasons of 3,000+ passing yards before transferring to UCLA. If Aguilar decides to re-enter the portal as a result of Iamaleava’s arrival, it’s possible Tennessee could be interested in bringing him in to compete with Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre in 2025.
Tennessee has reportedly been finding it difficult to find a replacement for Iamaleava in the portal. According to a report on Saturday, Tennessee offered TCU quarterback Josh Hoover a $1 million raise but he opted to remain with the Horned Frogs for the 2025 season.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
