'That's a kid that is tough as nails' - Defensive coordinator shares thoughts on how good Nico Iamaleava can be at UCLA

Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava will begin the next chapter of his college career on Saturday when he starts at quarterback for the UCLA Bruins in the season-opener against Utah.

Iamaleava, who is from Southern California, transferred from Tennessee to UCLA in April.

An anonymous defensive coordinator who will face Iamaleava and the Bruins this fall shared his thoughts on the former Tennessee quarterback with ESPN this week.

The anonymous defensive coordinator pointed out that Iamaleava is "tough as nails" and "can throw it wherever he needs".

"That's a kid that is tough as nails," said the defensive coordinator. "When he runs, he doesn't look to slide. He can sling it. With development, he's going to be one of the top dudes in the country. He's 6-6, tough to take down, can throw every ball. Needs a little bit more accuracy in the deep ball, but can throw it wherever he needs to put it. His eye progression needs a bit of work, but my guess is with another year, he's worked through that."

There's no denying Iamaleava's physical tools. But if he had a weakness last season, it was in processing and making quick decisions. It felt, at times, like Iamaleava was trying to not make a mistake instead of just making a play (which, to be fair, he was facing an inordinate amount of pressure as a starting quarterback in the SEC who also happened to be the poster boy for NIL thanks to the deal he signed with Tennessee as a high school recruit).