UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava sends heartfelt message following the tough news he received
Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava is out for the rest of the 2026 season.
News broke earlier this month that UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava will miss the rest of the 2026 season due to a “severe” knee injury.
It’s a tough loss for the Bruins as UCLA, which is 7-0, is right in the thick of the College Football Playoff conversation.
Iamaleava, who spent the first two seasons of his career with the Tennessee Vols, broke his silence on the injury via a post on Instagram on Thursday.
“I’m heartbroken the way my season ended,” wrote Iamaleava. “I’ve finally accepted that this year is really over for me. This wasn’t part of the plan, but I believe everything happens for a reason. I gave this game and my brothers everything I had and I’ll continue to lean on God and trust His plan. I’ll be back.”
Several former Vols, such as Hendon Hooker, Byron Young, and Kamal Hadden, showed support for Iamaleava in the comments.
Former Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks also commented.
Iamaleava, who is in his second season at UCLA after spending the first two seasons of his career at Tennessee, passed for 982 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions in five games this season. He also rushed for 144 yards and one touchdown.
The hope for Iamaleava was to enter the 2027 NFL Draft after the 2026 season, but it seems likely that he returns to UCLA for another season since he almost certainly won’t be able to participate in pre-draft workouts.
