Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has grabbed a lot of attention after he decided to transfer to UCLA during the 2025 spring transfer portal window. Standing tall at 6’6″, Nico’s size and skills have excited UCLA fans about what he can bring to their team. They believe he can make their quarterback group even stronger.
However, not everyone shares that excitement. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy has some serious doubts. While Bruins fans are hopeful, McElroy worries about how well Nico will adjust to his new team and environment.
ESPN Analyst Expresses Confusion Over Nico Iamaleava’s UCLA Transfer
In a recent video, analyst Greg McElroy pointed to Nico Iamaleava’s 2024 season at Tennessee, where he showcased potential but struggled under pressure in key moments.
The Volunteers finished with a 10-3 record and made it to the College Football Playoff. Iamaleava helped them reach that achievement by throwing for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
These stats seem perfect, but the catch was that he didn’t face much pressure in most games. When high-pressure moments came, we saw a completely different performer from the ex-Vols star — something no fan wants to see.
One tough game that stood out was the playoff matchup against Ohio State. In that game, Iamaleava managed just 104 passing yards. Tennessee ended up losing, and it exposed some of his struggles when the stakes were high.
At UCLA, things won’t get any easier. The Bruins’ newest addition now has to learn a whole new offensive system and build chemistry with new teammates, and he won’t have much time to do it.
McElroy explained, “Now he goes into a summer where he’s trying to develop a rapport with new teammates. He’s trying to learn a new offense. There’s just too many unknowns surrounding Nico to feel great about having him in the top 10.”
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McElroy also compared the new challenge of the ex-Vols star to what he had in Tennessee.
“Last year he had an amazing run game to lean on,” McElroy said. “He had a system that was ready-made to make it as easy on the quarterback as just about any system in the country.”
At UCLA, he would surely miss those comforts, which could make things much harder for Nico. Still, McElroy praised Nico’s physical gifts, calling him a “top-five caliber” talent.
But he warned that raw talent alone won’t be enough now. “Live bullets are flying,” he said, reminding everyone of the pressure Nico will face in the new environment.
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