New UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava, a native of Long Island, California, emerged as a standout at Warren High School, where he earned the 2022 Polynesian High School Player of the Year honor. That same year, he starred in the Polynesian Bowl, taking home Offensive MVP.
His rise is anchored in strong family values, his proud Samoan roots, and a determined spirit. Despite recent challenges, Iamaleava’s story reflects the promise and pressures facing young stars and continues to resonate nationally with fans and future athletes alike.
What To Know About The UCLA QB’s Heritage, Cultural Roots
Born on Sept. 2, 2004, in Long Beach, California, Nico Iamaleava carries a proud Samoan heritage that has deeply influenced his identity and football journey.
According to his father, Nicholaus Sr., the family’s Polynesian roots instill a “warrior spirit,” discipline, and perseverance—qualities evident in Nico’s style of play and leadership.
“We’re warriors. That’s where [the toughness] is from. And it shows.”
Nico grew up in a large, tight-knit household as one of eight siblings, ranging in age from 11 to 23. His parents, Nicholaus Sr. and Marleinna Iamaleava, created a home environment that prioritized competition, resilience and unity. Sports play a major role in the Iamaleava family.
His sister, Nicaylah, competes in volleyball at Cypress College; his older brother, Matt, excelled in high school volleyball; and his younger brother, Madden, is a promising quarterback who committed to UCLA, following his brother’s transfer.
Beyond the field, Nico and his mother co-founded the Nico8 Foundation in September 2023. The nonprofit aims to support breast cancer research and serve underprivileged youth and families, reflecting the values he learned growing up.
Nico was initially enrolled in Long Beach Polytechnic High School before he changed schools to Warren High. During his senior year, he passed for 1,726 yards and made 25 touchdowns, in addition to rushing for another 6 scores. He was also named the Polynesian Football Player of the Year and selected as the Offensive MVP at the 2022 Polynesian Bowl.
He was recognized as one of the best quarterbacks in the 2023 recruiting class. Notably, his redshirt freshman season was an extraordinary success. He was the first-ever first-year starter at the university to lead Tennessee to 10 regular-season wins and earn the Vols their debut in the College Football Playoff.
He capped the 2024 season with 2,616 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a Citrus Bowl MVP performance after tallying four total touchdowns and 151 passing yards.
In the evolving NIL landscape, Iamaleava made headlines with a reported multimillion-dollar agreement while still in high school.
However, his time at Tennessee saw a turn in April 2025 when contract disputes led to a public split, signaling a new chapter in the NIL era for college athletics.
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