‘Nico is the better QB right now’ – College football insider says a top program would be better with Nico Iamaleava at QB
The 2025 season has, so far, been unkind to former Tennessee Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Iamaleava, who left Tennessee for UCLA in April, is 0-4 in his first four starts for the Bruins. The former five-star recruit has passed for 788 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions so far this season. Iamaleava has also rushed […]
The 2025 season has, so far, been unkind to former Tennessee Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Iamaleava, who left Tennessee for UCLA in April, is 0-4 in his first four starts for the Bruins.
The former five-star recruit has passed for 788 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions so far this season. Iamaleava has also rushed for 204 yards and one touchdown.
UCLA’s issues aren’t necessarily on Iamaleava. The former Tennessee quarterback transferred to a bad situation. Head coach DeShaun Foster was fired by UCLA after the program got off to an 0-3 start.
The Bruins also fired offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri — a former Vols quality control assistant — this week.
The coaches that brought Iamaleava to UCLA are gone. And the talent around him isn’t elite. Iamaleava, though, is still a talented quarterback who could thrive in the right situation.
College football insider thinks Penn State would be better off with Nico Iamaleava than Drew Allar at quarterback
UCLA is set to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday in Pasadena.
Penn State, which lost in overtime to the Oregon Ducks last week, is expected to win big against the Bruins. The Nittany Lions are clearly the better team.
247Sports’ Chris Hummer, however, believes that Penn State would be an even better team with Iamaleava at quarterback instead of Drew Allar.
“Penn State would be better right now if Nico was their quarterback,” said Hummer on CBS Sports’ College Football Insiders.
“Nico is the better quarterback right now,” continued Hummer. “Nico’s been better this year than Drew Allar. Look at the advanced stats — Nico is making more confident throws than Allar.”
Iamaleava left some plays on the field last season at Tennessee. But he was a redshirt freshman starting for the first time in the SEC. College football, regardless of how much NIL money a player is earning, is still a developmental sport.
I don’t know what Iamaleava’s ceiling is as a player — I don’t think anyone knows — but I certainly don’t think he’s reached it yet.
Iamaleava would be wise to transfer from UCLA this offseason and search for the best situation (not the best pay day). Whether that’s at the Group of Five level or back in the SEC, Iamaleava just needs to focus on finding the right spot to further his development.
Who knows, maybe Penn State will give him a call later this winter.
Tennessee Volunteers News
Josh Heupel is well aware that the Tennessee Vols are in the same situation that caused the program a major problem last season
The Tennessee Vols are off this weekend after their thrilling overtime road win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs last Saturday in Starkville. Tennessee’s next game is on Oct. 11 against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Vols will be looking to avenge last season’s loss to Arkansas. Vols head coach Josh Heupel is well aware that Tennessee […]
