If everything goes to plan this fall for former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who is entering his second season at UCLA, then he’ll be off to the NFL in 2027.

NFL scouts are high on Iamaleava’s talent and upside, but the former Vol wasn’t able to show off his complete skill set in 2025 after arriving at UCLA in the spring following his controversial departure from Tennessee (plus the Bruins weren’t in a good spot last season with head coach DeShaun Foster, who was fired just three games into the season).

“Nico Iamaleava from UCLA,” said NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay in May while pointing out potential quarterbacks who could be drafted in 2027. “I get it — the Tennessee debacle, he transfers, all the problems, the money, this and that. And last year, [he] was up and down. I promise you, teams are keeping a close [eye on Iamaleava]. I told you this in October last year, the NFL’s view of Iamaleava is different than the public perception.”

NFL teams need to see results from Nico Iamaleava for his draft stock to rise

If Iamaleava has a big 2026 season, he could see his draft stock rise dramatically.

For now, though, Iamaleava, according to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, is viewed as a fourth-round pick.

“This (round four) tier can be classified as the ‘toolsy, but I want to see more’ group,” wrote Reid.

Scouts have particularly been impressed with Iamaleava’s toughness.

“He’s got a big arm and he’s mobile,” said McShay. “Yeah, we’re looking for all of those (physical) things. But I’m also looking for the nuance stuff, and I was really pleased with some of that nuance stuff and the mental and physical toughness — hanging in there and delivering [against pressure].”

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule praised Iamaleava last season for the way he took hits and continued to compete.

“I thought number nine was fantastic and just an absolute warrior,” said Rhule after last season’s win over the Bruins. “That first drive, we hit him so many times, I didn’t know how long he could do that. And he just did it all night. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”

Former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney was hired as UCLA’s head coach this past offseason, so Iamaleava should be in a much better position to succeed in 2026 than he was in 2025.