Draft analyst points out 'impressive' attribute that QB Nico Iamaleava has that makes him a legitimate NFL draft prospect

Nearly all of the attention surrounding quarterback Nico Iamaleava over the last six weeks has centered on his decision to leave the Tennessee Vols to join the UCLA Bruins. 

Fans and media seem to be more interested in how that entire saga went down instead of Iamaleava's talent and on-field abilities. 

Because of the drama surrounding Iamaleava's departure from Rocky Top, it's easy to forget that he's a former five-star recruit who was rated as the one of the top players in the nation. 

It's also easy to forget that Iamaleava is still just 20 years old. Even though he was inconsistent at times as a redshirt freshman in 2024, it's impressive that he quarterbacked an SEC program to the College Football Playoff despite the fact that he's still developing as a player. 

Nico Iamaleava has NFL talent

Pro Football Focus draft analyst Trevor Sikkema ranked Iamaleava at No. 5 in his 2026 NFL Draft preseason rankings. 

A big reason why Sikkema ranked Iamaleava in his top five is because of the quarterback's impressive footwork. 

From PFF: It’s a shame that Iamaleava will be known more this season for off-field headlines than on-field ability, because he has true NFL talent. He has good height at 6-foot-5, but a slender build at just 215 pounds (could lead to durability concerns). He has long arms and a long wingspan, which creates a whipping throwing motion that really cranks up how fast his passes spin (like Michael Penix Jr.).

Iamaleava's footwork is very impressive — light and quick — to create a stable throwing platform or escape pressure instantly. When he misses (71.0% adjusted completion percentage), he misses high, which is evidence of reading a play late and trying to rush a throw.

There’s a lot of talk about Iamaleava, and he certainly needs to get more consistent, but he has pro-level potential as a passer.

The NFL traits are there for Iamaleava. If he cleans up a few details, and plays with confidence, we could see the California native take a big step in his development in 2025.