DeShaun Foster responds to questions about Nico Iamaleava’s NIL package

UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster saw an opportunity to bring in an experienced starting quarterback when Nico Iamaleava hit the Transfer Portal and jumped on it, bringing in the star. That was, in no small part, thanks to putting together an NIL package he accepted.

Transfers are often taking NIL packages in the modern game, but the one that Iamaleava took had a lot of attention on it thanks to how things ended between him and the Tennessee Volunteers. Negotiating for a higher NIL number turned public and sour. The two parted ways and he went to find that NIL deal elsewhere.

For his part, Foster didn’t get into the details about the package. However, he did make it clear that the two sides are both happy to be together for the 2025 season.

“Characterize it? A success… I don’t know, I don’t report,” DeShaun Foster said. “I don’t know what he was looking for or whatnot. I know that he accepted our contract and wants to be a Bruin. So, that’s all I’m focused on. He wants to be a Bruin and he wants to be here and we’re excited.”

NIL has been a topic that has consistently followed Nico Iamaleava during his college career. His recruitment to Tennessee on a reported $8 million deal became one of the earliest examples of players and NIL collectives working together. He’d play two seasons with the Volunteers following that agreement.

After reports surfaced that he was looking for a pay increase off of that previous NIL deal, Iamaleava and Tennessee parted ways. At the time, it was reported that he wanted a bump from around $2.2 to $2.5 million annually to about $4 million. So, whether or not he’d get that as a transfer became a massive question.

Since committing to UCLA, there have been reports that the deal is for less than what Nico Iamaleava was getting at Tennessee. However, the NIL deal is still reportedly worth more than $1.5 million. Neither DeShaun Foster nor Nico Iamaleava has confirmed any numbers as of now.

DeShaun Foster provides perspective on why Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA

Beyond the NIL deal, DeShaun Foster also highlighted other reasons why Nico Iamaleava chose UCLA. That, importantly, includes being closer to home and his family as a California native.

“The player that wanted to come home and be closer to his family,” Foster said. “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.”

The expectation is that Nico Iamaleava will immediately take over as the starting quarterback at UCLA. First, however, he’ll need to finish his spring semester at Tennessee.