Nico Iamaleava. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Report: Nico Iamaleava 'in talks' with Big Ten program

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 5:42 PM ET

Nico Iamaleava has made a decision about his next school.

Iamaleava is set to transfer to UCLA, according to two different reports. Colin Cowherd reported the news on Wednesday and added that Iamaleava’s family says the quarterback left Tennessee in part due to issues with the Volunteers offense.

I am told — moments ago — Nico Iamaleava is going to UCLA. Family still claims it’s NOT about the It’s about the @Vol_Football offense. I was not told what the Bruins are paying.
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) April 16, 2025

Bruce Feldman, who also reported that Iamaleava is expected to transfer to UCLA, says that the Iamaleava family sought to have Tennessee upgrade its offensive line and wide receivers this offseason. Additionally, Iamaleava wanted to renegotiate and was seeking $4 million in NIL money. Tennessee declined to meet the asking price, which led Iamaleava to transfer.

Meanwhile, ESPN's Chris Low reports that Iamaleava is still "in talks" with UCLA.

"We'll see if it gets worked out. He's extremely talented with starting experience against elite competition. That's sort of where we are right now," the UCLA source told ESPN.

If Iamaleava’s deal with UCLA gets done, it won’t be close to the $4 million his camp was asking for from Tennessee. Talks ramping up. Reps for current UCLA QB Joey Aguilar, who transferred from App. State in offseason, have been making calls to other schools to gauge interest.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 16, 2025

Iamaleava is from Long Beach, California, and spent two years at Tennessee. He threw for 2,616 yards with 19 touchdown passes and five interceptions in his first year as a full-time starter last season. He also rushed for 358 yards and 3 scores while helping the Vols reach the College Football Playoff.

He is leaving a team that made the College Football Playoff for a UCLA squad that went 5-7 last year and ranked 126th out of 134 schools in points per game. Details surrounding any NIL deal between Iamaleava and UCLA have not yet been released.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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