Nico Iamaleava gets asked about his plans for the 2026 season following UCLA’s final game of the season

Nico Iamaleava’s 2026 season ended on Saturday night in Los Angeles. Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee to UCLA earlier this year, passed for 200 yards and one touchdown in the Bruins’ 29-10 loss to USC. The former Vols quarterback played against USC despite being limited in practice last week with neck spasms. Nico Iamaleava gets […]

Zach Ragan Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Tennessee Vols
irby Lee-Imagn Images

Nico Iamaleava’s 2026 season ended on Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee to UCLA earlier this year, passed for 200 yards and one touchdown in the Bruins’ 29-10 loss to USC.

The former Vols quarterback played against USC despite being limited in practice last week with neck spasms.

Nico Iamaleava gets asked about his plans for the 2026 season

While meeting with reporters after the loss to the Trojans, Iamaleava was asked about his plans for the 2026 season.

“I haven’t,” said Iamaleava when asked if he’s thought about his future plans yet. “I was focused on this game and practice and film. I haven’t really thought [about] anything past that.”

“I haven’t really even thought about that, man,” added Iamaleava when asked again about his future plans. “I’m right here where my feet are. We just lost a tough game and my mind is still on that one — what we could have done better to go out there and win that game.”

It’s certainly possible that Iamaleava could stay at UCLA for another season (SoCal is home for Nico). But if he chooses to transfer, the former five-star recruit should have plenty of suitors. It’s also possible that he could declare for the 2026 NFL Draft.

We’ll see what Iamaleava chooses to do once he’s had some time to reflect on the 2025 season and what’s best for his career moving forward. One thing that’s certain, though, is that December is going to be a crazy month for college football with the early signing period coming up and transfer decisions being made.