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5-star transfer QB Nico Iamaleava is headed to UCLA, according to sports personality Colin Cowherd. No public announcement has been made by the family or the Bruins at this point, but Cowherd is typically locked in on the Los Angeles scene.
The news seemingly ends a saga that’s taken over the college football world the last week. The details of his suspected journey to UCLA are becoming clearer.
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
Iamaleava signed with Tennessee to the tune of $2 million per year, an NIL deal that was historic at the time. After two years of largely average play, he wanted to renegotiate his terms.
The quarterback threatened to skip a College Football Playoff matchup vs. Ohio State in an attempt to leverage a larger payday. He then sat out the team’s spring game while asking for a reported $4 million salary.
The Vols would not be held hostage. They let Iamaleava walk. He’s since entered the transfer portal with a “do not contact” tag.
Many viewed that as a sign that he’d already known his next landing spot. His options seemed fleeting following each media report.
Colorado was not interested. Neither was USC or Notre Dame. North Carolina showed interest but refused to match the $4 million demands.
UCLA was the lone school that remained linked to the passer throughout the process. Still, even the Bruins had question marks about extending an offer.
Nico Iamaleava’s family has already burned its bridge with UCLA.
The quarterback’s brother was once committed to be a Bruin before a very late flip to Arkansas. UCLA was reportedly blindsided by the turn of events. Madden Iamaleava left little time to find a replacement in the early signing window.
The Bruins signed two three-star passers in the 2025 class. They’ve been on the market for an experienced signal caller in the portal following starter Ethan Garbers’ departure for the NFL. Enter Nico Iamaleava.
UCLA has already been spurned by one Iamaleava. Would they take a shot on a second? At the right price!
Iamaleava’s father recently suggested that his son had multiple $4 million deals lined up. Most media reports directly contradicted those claims – even those involving the Bruins.
REPORT: UCLA has presented an NIL offer to former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava, per @BruinReport 🚨 pic.twitter.com/5KP0VDcKv3
— 247Sports (@247Sports) April 16, 2025
UCLA has been in contact. They’re reportedly NOT willing to pay that original asking price. In fact, the latest whispers imply they’d only be willing to agree to terms at a $1 million price tag, which is half of what he was making with the Vols.
According to Colin Cowherd’s report, money was never the issue despite it being considered the only issue. Now, the family is walking back those NIL demands. Instead, his camp is pointing to the Tennessee offense in its reasoning for the transfer.
The narrative surrounding Nico Iamaleava was that a price cut was imminent. His father refused to accept that option until he was down to his final legitimate suitor.
If the UCLA reports are true, the family is caving on its NIL demands while returning to a bridge it’s already burned. We’ll see how it works out should he ultimately land with the Bruins!