UCLA's Nico Iamaleava Jumps in Latest QB Power Ranking

The Bruins' signal-caller is coming off of two Heisman-level outings.

Oct 11, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) throws the ball during warmups while UCLA Bruins quarterback Luke Duncan (12) watches at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images | Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

Nico Iamaleava and the UCLA Bruins (2-4, 2-1 Big Ten) had a nightmare start to the season, losing four in a row before turning things around and becoming a college football darling.

The redshirt sophomore quarterback received perhaps the most criticism throughout their winless start to the year, mainly relating to his polariing offseason move to Westwood. So, it's only natural that he receives equal amount of praise for his resurgence over the last two games.

UCLA's Nico Iamaleava warms up before the football game against Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CBS Sports' David Cobb released an updated college football QB power rankings, and Iamaleava was among the biggest risers in the nation, moving from No. 50 to No. 37.

Iamaleava had one of the most complete games of his college career in their 42-37 upset over No. 7 Penn State, and put together his best passing performance of the season against Michigan State last week.

How Tim Skipper Unlocked Nico Iamaleava

Looking like a totally different player since Tim Skipper and Jerry Neuheisel assumed head roles on the Bruins' coaching staff, one has to wonder how Iamaleava was unlocked to this level.

Skipper, honest and humble as he is, says it was all Iamaleava.

UCLA's interim head coach Tim Skipper celebrates after a Bruins touchdown against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"Man, I wish I could take credit for him being able to run so fast, and being tall, and being able to throw so great," Skipper said during Monday's media availability. "I think what we do is just let him be him. I mean, seriously, my job is to make sure the guys are ready to play, and then the players go out there and play.

"Players play and coaches coach. I treat everybody the same and he's on our team and he's a dual-threat guy that we can use in many different ways, and we're going to try to use all of those ways."

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Nico's Midseason Grade: B+

Nico Iamaleava has been one of the most polarizing topics of this season. Through the first month, he didn't meet expectations and was widely ridiculed (again) for his departure from Tennessee. In the last two weeks, he's led the Bruins to two statement wins and has been one of the hottest arms in the sport.

I've defended Iamaleava at even the lowest points of the season, and have been criticized for it. But I truly think the redshirt sophomore's early struggles were due, in part, to his supporting cast and, mostly, to the tire fire that was the coaching staff before Skipper and Neuheisel took over.

Oct 11, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) looks for an open receiver in the second quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images | Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

Iamaleava hasn't been completely blameless, though. Some of the blemishes he showed last season have been evident through the first half of this year. The difference, though, is that he has gotten better every single game.

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