Ex-Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava transferring to hometown UCLA after NIL dispute

The drama that surrounds the former field marshal of Tennessee, Nico Iamaleva, has come to an end, and the 20 -year -old returned to his native state in California to move to UCLA.

The UCLA field marshal room was notified or the imminent transfer of iamaleva on April 20, according to ESPN.

The news occurs a little more than a week after the chief coach of Tennessee, Josh Heupel, announced that the program was “progressing” from Iamaleva. He was previously informed by Bruce Feldman and Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports that was expected to join the Bruins.

With iamaleoava aimed at Los Angeles, UCLA QB Joey Aguilar has been “through the interest of other schools,” Espn said. Aguilar was transferred to UCLA from the state of the Apalaches before in the low season after being appointed Second Team All-Sun Belt in 2023.

The transfer of iamaleaava immediately presents itself from its controversial departure from Tennessee. According to the reports, Iamaleva requested to be paid $ 2 million more for its pre -existing image, image and likeness (NIL). Iamaleva grew in Long Beach, California, which is approximately one hour south of the UCLA campus.

[MORE: Joel Klatt: No villain in the Nico Iamaleava saga, but everyone should be careful]

Iamaleava committed to Tennessee in 2022 as a five -star recruit with a rumored null package between $ 8 and $ 9 million. After starting only one game in 2023, it became the full -time holder of the team for the 2024 university football season.

Last season, Iamaleva totaled 2,616 air yards, 19 pass touchdowns, five interceptions and a 145.3 pin rating while completing 63.8% of its passes. Hello, it also ran for 358 yards and three touchdowns.

Iamaleva and the volunteers finished 2024 with a 10-3 e record and reached the expanded university football playoffs. The end of the line came with a touch of first round at the hands of any national champion Ohio State.

Iamaleva joins a UCLA program that comes from a 5-7 season, the first in the Big Ten and the first one under the chief coach and the former corridor of the Deshaun Foster school.

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