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Nico Iamaleava commits to UCLA, calls Tennessee transfer decision 'incredibly difficult'

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•04/20/25•

GrantRamey

Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava (Brianna Paciorka / USA TODAY Sports)

Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava announced his commitment to UCLA on Sunday afternoon with a post on social media. The commitment post from Iamaleava included a statement addressing his transfer:

“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His grace, for continuing to bless my family, and for allowing me to live out my passion each and every day.

“To the amazing people in Knoxville, thank you for embracing and uplifting me throughout my time there. I’ll be forever thankful for the support you showed me every step of the way and I’ll always cherish the relationships I built there and the memories I created with my brothers. I believe with all my heart that I gave my all as a Volunteer. I’m truly grateful for the time I had at UT.

“My journey at UT has come to an end. This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be. Even though, this chapter is ending, a new chapter has begun and I am committed to UCLA!”

ESPN reported earlier Sunday afternoon that the UCLA coaching staff had spoken to the team’s quarterbacks about the “expected transfer” of Iamaleava, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

NIL negotiations, skipping practice led Tennessee to parting ways with Nico Iamaleava

On3’s Pete Nakos reported on Thursday, April 10 that Iamaleava was in contract negotiations for a new NIL deal. He then skipped practice the next morning and was not in contact with Tennessee’s coaching staff through the day.

Josh Heupel told his team last Saturday, ahead of the Orange & White Game later that day, that the Vols would be moving on from Iamaleava as quarterback.

UCLA was immediately identified as a widely reported possible landing spot for Iamaleava, the Long Beach, Calif., native. North Carolina and Tulane were also said to be interested before backing out.

It was reported last Wednesday that Iamaleava was headed to UCLA, with the Iamaleava family blaming Tennessee’s offense as the reason for the move.

Nico Iamaleava last season: 2,616 yards, 19 TDs, 5 INTs

Iamaleava passed for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions in 13 games last season, his first season as Tennessee’s starter. The Vols went 10-3, ending the season with a 42-17 loss at Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

He was the No. 1 overall prospect when he committed to and signed with Tennessee in the class of 2023. 

Tennessee has yet to add a third quarterback out of the NCAA Transfer Portal, leaving the Vols with only redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre on the quarterback depth chart.

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