LAS VEGAS – Bruce quarterback Nico Iamaleaeva said Thursday the decision to leave the volunteer was “one of the toughest decisions I have ever had”, his first public comment since moving from Tennessee to UCLA in April.
“The driver of my home is my family and I hope every Tennessee fan knows that,” Iamaleava said in the Big Ten media era. “That’s just a lot of drama, but man, I’m so glad to go to UCLA.”
Iamaleava mentioned “false reports” about him many times in Tennessee when he and his representatives wanted higher zero compensation. The native of Long Beach, California, remains unwavering, and his main motivation for his move is not money, but closer to the family. He said the reports made him feel “discomfortable in my place.”
“I think, in general, the outside world thinks it's not true,” Iamaleava told ESPN. “Going home is always behind my head. Close to my family.” [it] It caused losses to my family going to Tennessee. It's just a lot of travel. ”
ESPN reported in April that IamaLeava's representatives have been pushing for his NIL contract — after paying him $2.4 million a year and intends to pay him more than $8 million in Tennessee time to increase to $4 million in 2025. Sources told ESPN, ESPN told ESPN that IAMALEAVA's camps were also putting their hands on Miami, Ole Miss and Olegon Miss and other Exproried, as Miami transformed, and other companies, among others.
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“I don’t talk about money,” Iamaleava said on Thursday. “I’m just going to school here.”
In those zero contract negotiations, Iamaleava did not show up for spring practice in Tennessee. Not long after, coach Josh Heupel said the program was “continuing” from Iamaleava.
“I want to thank him for everything he has done since he came here and as a player and how he has done in the game inside the building,” Heupel said at the time. “No one is bigger than the electric T. Including me.”
On Thursday, Iamaleava called the incident at that time “crazy” and said it was “a lot” for him. After the split, Iamaleava quickly decided to move to UCLA. Quarterback Joey Aguilar moved from Appalachian State to Westwood in hopes to be the starter of the program, so eventually moved to Tennessee.
“My mindset is competing with anyone there,” Iamaleava said of Aguilar. “I hope he only has the best. I know he will attract the best fans there. I hope he can experience all the positive things I’ve experienced.”
Iamaleava, redshirted in 2023, threw 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns in her first season as a starter in 2024, led Tennessee to 10 wins and college football playoff appearances, ultimately losing to ultimate national champion Ohio State in the first round. Iamaleava will be the starter of the Bruins this season.
“I hope I will get better,” Iamaleava said. “I have to get better.”
UCLA scored 5-7 in coach Deshaun Foster's debut season. Foster said Thursday that when the opportunity arises, there is no hesitation to add Iamaleava to the roster.
“We’re very excited to be a playoff quarterback,” Foster said. “As long as we can get home, comfortably and in a familiar environment, I think the sky is the limit.”