College football fans were stunned when Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee’s star quarterback and one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal, announced his decision to join UCLA.
While many speculated that Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) money was the primary motivation behind this high-profile move, UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster has revealed that more personal factors influenced Iamaleava’s choice.
DeShaun Foster Shares Key Reasons Behind Nico Iamaleava’s Transfer to UCLA
According to Foster, family ties played a crucial role in bringing the Long Beach native back to California.
“[Nico Iamaleava] wanted to come home and be closer to his family,” Foster admitted. “So, I think the family played a big role in being able to come back to California. I think that played a big role, too.”
Foster downplayed the importance of NIL deals in Iamaleava’s decision, despite reports from Knoxville suggesting that stalled renegotiations of his $2 million per year arrangement contributed to his departure from Tennessee.
“I don’t know what he was looking for or whatnot. I know that he accepted our contract, and he wants to be a Bruin, so that’s all I’m focused on. He wants to be here, and we’re excited,” Foster stated.
The UCLA coach described the quarterback’s physical attributes and competitive spirit as major assets for the program: “Um, 6’6″. You know, this is a big guy. A true competitor. Like, fiery. Big arm.”
The Impact of Iamaleava’s Arrival on UCLA’s Program
Foster acknowledged that signing Iamaleava was an opportunity the Bruins couldn’t pass up, describing him as “the No. 1 player in the portal.” The impact was immediate, with media interest in the program doubling overnight.
“When was the last time we had this many people here talking to us, you know what I’m saying? So this is a good buzz for us,” Foster noted.
The coach emphasized that competition remains at the heart of UCLA football, addressing concerns about how Iamaleava’s arrival affected the quarterback room. Joey Aguilar, who has since transferred to Tennessee, was given the option to stay and compete.
“If he wanted to stay and compete, that was fine,” Foster explained. “This is a competitive sport—for coaches, players, everybody. You just have to want to get out there and compete.”
Foster and his staff conducted thorough vetting before bringing Iamaleava on board, relying on their familiarity with him as a local product and feedback from current players who had competed with or against him in high school.
“You just have to go with your gut and with the people that you trust. You can’t just read everything on social media and come to a conclusion from that. You have to do a little bit more homework. So I think we did a good job in vetting and figuring out what we wanted to do, and we were able to execute, and now we’re here.”
KEEP READING: Nico Iamaleava’s Transfer From Tennessee to UCLA Sparked Headlines, But Was It His Choice?
Looking ahead, Iamaleava is set to enroll at UCLA for summer classes and will compete for the starting job in the fall. Foster believes that the quarterback’s presence will not only improve team performance but also energize local recruiting.
“You want to be in conversations, you want to play big-time ball, you want to have haters, you want all of this stuff, because that means that you’re trending in the right direction. So, if you want to play big-time ball, you can do that here at UCLA.”
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