UCLA head coach Deshaun Foster makes strong statement about the Bruins in 2025 after adding former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava
The breakup between the Tennessee Vols and quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been discussed ad nauseam over the last several weeks. One under-discussed aspect of Iamaleava's transfer from Tennessee to UCLA, however, has been the timing of the whole ordeal for the Bruins. Iamaleava's transfer to UCLA, which led to quarterback Joey Aguilar leaving UCLA for […]
The breakup between the Tennessee Vols and quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been discussed ad nauseam over the last several weeks.
One under-discussed aspect of Iamaleava's transfer from Tennessee to UCLA, however, has been the timing of the whole ordeal for the Bruins.
Iamaleava's transfer to UCLA, which led to quarterback Joey Aguilar leaving UCLA for Tennessee, came right in the middle of spring practice for the Bruins.
As a result, UCLA went through nearly half of spring practice with a skeleton crew at quarterback.
The Bruins' spring game this past weekend, which included Iamaleava hanging out and signing autographs before the game while in street clothes (he can't officially join the program until he wraps up classes at Tennessee), featured quarterback Luke Duncan taking first-team and second-team reps.
UCLA is so thin at quarterback (Aguilar wasn't the only Bruins quarterback to hit the portal last month) that they had to give a guy who was fighting for a backup job a couple of weeks ago first-team and second-team reps. And Duncan still may not end up being the primary backup to Nico this fall (Nico's brother, Madden, is set to officially join the program later this offseason).
UCLA head coach Deshaun Foster tells Bruins fans to get their popcorn ready in 2025
“You can just tell he has presence,” said UCLA head coach Deshaun Foster of Nico after the Bruins' spring game. “He kind of commands attention being 6-foot-6. He’s a huge guy and he’s not someone who’s just seeking out attention, but just kind of has a poise to him. It’s just comforting.”
“It’s mostly just figuring out what we call something that they already call, so it’s not like we have to teach him a whole new playbook," added Foster of Nico's transition to UCLA's offense. "It’s more of him figuring out the calls and what we call something he already had. Him being an intelligent kid, has a high GPA, smart on and off the field, we’re just looking forward to getting the opportunity to teach him.”
So what kind of season is Foster is expecting for the Bruins in 2025 with Iamaleava likely to start at quarterback?
An entertaining one, apparently.
"It's going to be a good season," said Foster. "What do they say, get your popcorn ready? I'd say get your popcorn ready."
UCLA kicks off the season on August 30 against Utah.
Former Tennessee RHP Blade Tidwell goes viral for hilarious quip about former Vols teammate Drew Gilbert
Classic moment between the former teammates
