Nico Iamaleava set to represent UCLA at Big Ten Media Days

Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be one of three representatives for UCLA football at the upcoming Big Ten Media Days in late July. The program announced its attendees with the rest of the league on Monday afternoon.

Iamaleava, of course, was one of the biggest stories of the offseason. After he ran into an impasse with the powers that be at Tennessee over NIL compensation, he entered the transfer portal.

He ultimately landed at UCLA, a program struggling a bit at the moment and looking for a shot in the arm. Nico Iamaleava could provide just that, and his presence at media days is a sure sign that the Bruins plan to turn things over to the third-year college player this fall.

Iamaleava and the UCLA contingent is set to speak at Big Ten Media Days on July 24, the final day of the event. Joining Iamaleava are offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio and linebacker JonJon Vaughns.

Urban Meyer: UT ‘screwed’ without Nico Iamaleava

How big an addition is Nico Iamaleava for UCLA? Well, at least one former coach with a handful of national title rings to his name believes Tennessee really dropped the ball by letting him get away.

And if that’s the case, it can only mean good things for the Bruins. Iamaleava is a bona-fide NFL talent, Meyer said. The Volunteers let that slip away.

“They’re screwed and I’m gonna say it again,” Meyer said. “You let a potential first-rounder — not let — but a potential first-rounder walks out on you, especially the starting quarterback of a team that was in the playoffs. A team, at times, that was really, really good and he was a young quarterback. You know what happens to young quarterbacks? They get better.”

Iamaleava left Tennessee after negotiations for a new NIL deal fell through. The QB reportedly was seeking a deal of $4 million or more and sat out of practice and team meetings amid negotiations with the team.

Last season, Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, five interceptions, a 63.8% completion percentage. He also had 358 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Tennessee made the College Football Playoff but lost in the first round against Ohio State.

But it’s going to be hard for Tennessee to take a step forward without Nico Iamaleava, Meyer said. He explained.

“Here’s the reality: Tennessee is screwed,” Meyer said. “They got a problem. You lose a potential high draft pick. You have the backup quarterback left last year and now you have a redshirt freshman that threw nine passes as a freshman.”

On3’s Chandler Vessels also contributed to this report.