MidValleySports.Com

By Alex A. Gonzalez

Los Angeles—Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava announced he is returning home to play for the UCLA Bruins this fall. After multiple rumors and reports last week the former five-star recruit and Warren Bear confirmed on Instagram Sunday.

Following a public breakup between Iamaleava’s camp and the Tennessee Volunteers, Iamaleava entered the transfer portal Wednesday after the two sides could not agree on a new contract that would subsequently run through his time in Knoxville. Representatives for Iamaleava were seeking a raise to about $4 million before the new season and a vow that the team would improve their offensive line and wide receivers. 

When the two sides could not agree, Iamaleava ultimately started his holdout and did not participate in the Volunteers Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium on April 12th. After the practice and hearing that his starting quarterback was not there, Vols head coach Josh Heupel made it public that he was moving on from Iamaleava at that moment. 

With Iamaleava returning home to play at the Rose Bowl, he would have to compete with another quarterback transfer, Joey Aguilar, who threw for 3003 yards and 23 touchdowns last season at Appalachian State.  

Second-year coach Deshaun Foster and new offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, who was the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Indiana last season, will have to get Iamaleava and Aguilar ready for the 2025 campaign so they can improve from their 5-7 season a year ago.