UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava is grabbing headlines for more than one reason. After his sudden departure from the Tennessee Volunteers due to failed NIL deal renegotiation, the quarterback entered the transfer portal and is now ready to take the field in the Bruins jersey.
While on the outside it may seem like Iamaleava cares more about the money than the game, he was able to change the perception of former NFL scout Daniel Kelly, who has come out impressed watching his game from last season. Kelly went on to name him his “Breakout QB prospect for 2025” before predicting that he is currently a third-round NFL prospect with good upside.
As a former NFL Scout, I’m naming Nico Iamaleava as my Breakout QB prospect for 2025.
His 2024 game film is right on the fence between projecting as an NFL backup and a NFL starter — and he did show promise and improvement in key areas as the season progressed. Right now… pic.twitter.com/mtTUtF0gMg
— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) July 6, 2025
“His 2024 game film is right on the fence between projecting as an NFL backup and an NFL starter — and he did show promise and improvement in key areas as the season progressed,” Kelly wrote. “Right now Iamaleava is sitting on my board as a 3rd Round NFL value and based on what he put on tape, he’s trending to take the next step in 2025.”
“I wasn’t sure I was going to like him because he seemed to care about money more than the game, but he squashed that preconception I had before I started studying him,” Kelly added. “He gives it everything he has to give. The more I watched him, the more I liked him. He just keeps going through my mind whenever I think of the quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft class.”
Kelly said he’ll get more ideas once he watches him leading the Bruins in the 2025 season before deciding whether he’s an NFL starter talent right out of the blocks.
UCLA Transfer Nico Iamaleava Draws Spotlight Heading into the 2025 Season
Nico Iamaleava is poised for a breakout campaign one that every NFL scout will have their eyes on. Last season, he threw for 2,616 yards and 19 TDs for Tennessee, and this year, he’ll be leading the Bruins under head coach DeShaun Foster.
In mid-April, during Iamaleava’s NIL drama with Tennessee, Foster said that “there was no chance we could pass on him,” after Iamaleava entered the transfer portal as the top quarterback.
“When was the last time we had this many people here talking to us, you know what I’m saying?” Foster said. “So this is a good buzz for us … 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.”
While Iamaleava signed with the Bruins, he triggered a quarterback swap as Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar went to Tennessee hours later. Iamaleava will be joined by his younger brother, Madden, at UCLA.
UCLA enters its first full Big Ten season off a 5–7 campaign hampered by offensive struggles and coaching transitions. The addition of Iamaleava, along with coordinator Tino Sunseri’s more dynamic offense, could mean good things for the program in 2025.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
