All indications are that former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be heading to Westwood and signing with the UCLA Bruins.
However, according to Chris Low of ESPN, while talks are ramping up, a deal is not officially done yet.
He also states that if the deal does indeed get done, it won’t be close to the $4 million Iamaleava’s camp was asking for from Tennessee. In fact, the rumored number floating around is closer to $1.75 million.
If Iamaleava’s deal with UCLA gets done, it won’t be close to the $4 million his camp was asking for from Tennessee. Talks ramping up. Reps for current UCLA QB Joey Aguilar, who transferred from App. State in offseason, have been making calls to other schools to gauge interest.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 16, 2025
UCLA Bruins Trying To Get Deal Done With Nico Iamaleava
Regardless of if or when a deal gets done, it is already having consequences. Low also states that reps for current UCLA QB Joey Aguilar have been making calls to other schools to gauge interest. Aguilar just transferred to UCLA from Appalachian State in the winter portal, but he will certainly enter the portal again.
Now with Iamaleava on the roster, it makes sense for both sides to split. However, if a deal with Iamaleava falls through for any reason, it may already be too late to keep a relationship with Aguilar.
Nico’s younger brother, Madden, spurned the Bruins just hours before National Signing Day to take a bigger NIL deal at Arkansas.
Deshaun Foster and the UCLA Bruins will have to ensure that they lock this deal down, and not just for one season, or things will really get rough for the 2nd year head coach.
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