One of Nico Iamaleava's top targets in the passing game at UCLA nearly played for the Tennessee Vols out of high school.

UCLA's star quarterback has an infectious personality and commanding leadership style that the Bruins have been missing.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava left Tennessee in the spring after an NIL dispute. Some Vols say they'll watch his UCLA games.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava says "false reports" mischaracterized his motivations for leaving Tennessee, adding that he chose UCLA to play closer to home.

Nico’s younger brother, Madden Iamaleava, a four-star quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, had been committed to UCLA for eight months as a high schooler before signing with Arkansas.