US Edition'It Came Down to Me Wanting to Be Back Home': Nico Iamaleava Details Move to UCLA
TENNESSEE AND CALIFORNIA, JUL 25 – Iamaleava emphasized family as his main reason for transferring, disputing NIL payment claims, after throwing for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns in his sophomore season, officials said.
- On Thursday at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, Nico Iamaleava made his first public comments since transferring to UCLA, marking his debut media appearance since leaving Tennessee.
- Behind the scenes at Tennessee, NIL issues and family influenced his decision, as reports of an NIL dispute surfaced while his brother Madden Iamaleava had already moved to UCLA.
- During his redshirt-freshman year, Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns, and ran for 364 yards with three scores.
- Following his departure, the Bruins named him their starter for the 2025 season, while the Tennessee Volunteers will hold a quarterback battle.
- On the eve of the 2025 season, Iamaleava’s transfer drama appears diminished, though it underscores ongoing NIL and transfer portal debates ahead of the season.
49 Articles
49 Articles
Roanoke Times
'It came down to me wanting to be back home': Nico Iamaleava details move to UCLA
LAS VEGAS — Wearing horn-rimmed glasses, a light blue suit with a UCLA lapel pin and tan wingtips, Nico Iamaleava settled into his seat on an elevated platform in front of about 30 reporters. "How's everybody doing?" the new Bruins…
Nico Iamaleava opens up on Tennessee exit, hopes fans understand
Nico Iamaleava says he decided to leave Tennessee around the time that “false reports” came out—aka reports about him making decisions because of finances.He ultimately chose UCLA for family reasons. pic.twitter.com/ZRL2K6y6cZ— Amanda Christovich (@achristovichh) July 24, 2025Nico Iamaleava spoke about his move from Tennessee to UCLA on Thursday during Big Ten Media Days.
Rockdale Citizen & Newton Citizen
Big Ten media days: Nico Iamaleava wants UCLA vying for titles
Nico Iamaleava spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since his April transfer saga and claimed money was not his primary motivator for leaving Tennessee for UCLA.
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