Who is Nico Iamaleava?
Nico Iamaleava is a senior quarterback for the UCLA Bruins in 2026. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound quarterback was one of the most highly rated recruits in the 2023 class before beginning his college career at Tennessee.
UCLA lists Iamaleava as a senior and says he has played 29 college games, making 25 starts across his time with Tennessee and UCLA. His career numbers entering 2026 include 4,858 passing yards, 34 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 934 rushing yards.
He has also been named to the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list. Iamaleava is of Samoan descent and was previously a finalist for the award.
Nico Iamaleava brother: Who are his siblings?
Nico comes from a large athletic family.
According to UCLA’s official roster, his brothers are Matt Iamaleava and Madden Iamaleava, while his sisters are Nicaylah, McKennah, Ninalei, Mallory and Nori.
The most notable sibling in college football is Madden Iamaleava, Nico’s younger brother. Madden is also a quarterback at UCLA, making the Iamaleava brothers teammates in Westwood.
Madden transferred to UCLA after beginning his college career at Arkansas. UCLA lists him as a sophomore quarterback and says he attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School after previously attending Warren High School.
Madden Iamaleava at UCLA
Madden was a four-star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals. As a high school junior at Warren, he threw for 3,626 yards and 43 touchdowns, while completing 63% of his passes.
That gives UCLA an unusual quarterback-family storyline, with both brothers in the same program.
Where did Nico Iamaleava go to high school?
Nico attended Warren High School in Downey, California, after also spending time at Long Beach Poly.
UCLA’s official biography identifies Warren as his primary high school and notes that he also attended Long Beach Poly as a freshman and during the spring of his junior year.
His high school production helped make him one of the biggest recruiting names in the country.
As a senior in 2022, Iamaleava completed 119 of 199 passes for 1,986 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also rushed for 399 yards and six touchdowns.
As a junior, he produced even bigger passing numbers, recording 2,244 yards and 33 touchdowns with just one interception.
Nico Iamaleava 247Sports ranking
Nico was regarded as an elite recruit.
UCLA’s official profile says he was a five-star recruit according to 247Sports and Rivals. Both 247Sports and Rivals ranked him No. 2 nationally in the 2023 recruiting class, while On3 ranked him No. 1 overall.
His recruiting profile was built around his combination of size, arm strength and mobility. That skill set made him one of the most heavily recruited quarterbacks in the country.
His high school honors included the 2022 Polynesian High School Player of the Year and Polynesian Bowl Offensive MVP.
Nico Iamaleava NIL deal
Nico became one of the most recognizable examples of the early NIL era.
While still a high school recruit, he signed a reported $8 million NIL agreement with Tennessee’s Spyre Sports Group in 2022. Forbes reported that the agreement was worth $8 million, while other reporting indicated the total could have approached $10 million over the life of the arrangement because payments began while he was still in high school.
The deal became a major talking point in college football because of its size and because Iamaleava was still a high school player when the agreement was made.
By late 2024 and early 2025, reports indicated that his representatives wanted his compensation increased to roughly $4 million for 2025. ESPN reported that he was set to make about $2.4 million at Tennessee that year.
Why did Nico Iamaleava leave Tennessee?
Nico’s departure from Tennessee became one of the biggest college football stories of 2025.
The dispute centered largely on NIL compensation. ESPN reported that his representatives sought a new deal in the $4 million range, while Tennessee did not agree to restructure his existing arrangement.
After missing Tennessee practices and meetings during the spring, Iamaleava entered the transfer portal.
He ultimately chose UCLA, returning to Southern California and moving closer to his family.
Iamaleava later said that family and being closer to home, rather than money, were major factors behind his decision to transfer. Reuters reported that he emphasized his desire to be close to home and his Samoan cultural values.
What team does Nico Iamaleava play for?
As of the 2026 season, Nico Iamaleava plays quarterback for UCLA.
UCLA’s official roster lists him as No. 9, a senior quarterback from Long Beach, California.
His move to UCLA gave the Bruins a high-profile quarterback capable of making plays both through the air and on the ground.
The 2026 UCLA team is entering a new era under head coach Bob Chesney, with Iamaleava expected to be an important part of the offense.
Nico Iamaleava injury update
Injury questions are an important part of following any college quarterback, but there is no current major injury listed on UCLA’s official 2026 roster profile that indicates Nico Iamaleava is unavailable.
UCLA continues to list him on the active 2026 roster and recently highlighted him as a candidate for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award.
Therefore, readers should be cautious about social-media claims suggesting a serious current injury unless UCLA or another reliable source confirms the report.
Nico Iamaleava college career
Iamaleava initially arrived at Tennessee as one of the most highly anticipated quarterback recruits in the country.
He played five games as a freshman in 2023 and made his first start in Tennessee’s Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa. He was named the game’s MVP after accounting for four touchdowns.
In 2024, he became Tennessee’s starting quarterback and helped the Volunteers reach the College Football Playoff.
He then transferred to UCLA, where he continued his development in the Big Ten.
According to UCLA, his career totals through three seasons include:
- 4,858 passing yards
- 34 passing touchdowns
- 12 interceptions
- 934 rushing yards
- 10 rushing touchdowns
- 29 games played
- 25 starts
Why Nico Iamaleava is important to UCLA
The Bruins need Iamaleava to become a major difference-maker.
His combination of size and athleticism gives UCLA a quarterback who can extend plays outside the pocket while still possessing the arm strength to attack downfield.
His experience is also valuable. Unlike many college quarterbacks, Iamaleava has already played meaningful games in both the SEC and Big Ten.
The 2026 season therefore represents an important opportunity for him to establish himself as one of the country’s leading quarterbacks.
Nico Iamaleava FAQs
Who is Nico Iamaleava’s brother?
Nico’s brothers include Matt and Madden Iamaleava. Madden is also a quarterback at UCLA.
What high school did Nico Iamaleava attend?
He attended Warren High School in Downey, California, and also spent time at Long Beach Poly.
What team does Nico Iamaleava play for?
Nico Iamaleava plays quarterback for UCLA in 2026.
How much was Nico Iamaleava’s NIL deal?
His original Tennessee NIL agreement was widely reported as an $8 million deal, with reports indicating its potential total value could have been closer to $10 million over its full term.
Was Nico Iamaleava a 247Sports five-star?
Yes. UCLA’s official profile lists him as a five-star recruit according to 247Sports and Rivals, with 247Sports ranking him No. 2 overall in the 2023 class.
Is Nico Iamaleava injured?
There is no major current injury listed on his UCLA 2026 roster profile. He remains listed as a senior quarterback for the Bruins.
Final thoughts
Nico Iamaleava’s story includes elite high school recruiting, a record-setting early NIL agreement, a controversial transfer from Tennessee and a return to Southern California with UCLA.
The quarterback remains one of the most closely watched players in college football. With his brother Madden also on UCLA’s roster, the Iamaleava family has an especially strong connection to the Bruins as Nico enters the 2026 season.
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