What Opposing Coaches Say About UCLA's Nico Iamaleava

Despite receiving criticism all offseason for his off-field departure, Big Ten coaches have high praise for the Bruins' signal-caller.

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) during a Tennessee football practice, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. | Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

UCLA's star quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, has been one of the most talked-about figures in all of college football leading up to the 2025 season.

Conversation from all ends of the spectrum surrounded Iamaleava this offseason. But through all the criticism of his departure from Tennessee, there's still a good football player in Westwood, and other coaches agree.

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg got coaches from all over college football to talk about the best quarterbacks entering this season, including Iamaleava. Here's what he got on the Volunteer-turned-Bruin.

DeShaun Foster, UCLA Head Coach

Jul 24, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images | Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

"He's a true leader and I just love how he approaches the day, how he just approached our players, how he approached coming into the team so late. It wasn't just like, 'I'm Nico' and this. He wanted to really get in there and work. I wanted to see him in the huddle. I had already seen him in high school and all of that before, so that was good. It was just more, I wanted to see him command, and how is he around the other players? But he's been great."

Anonymous Defensive Coordinator of 2025 UCLA Opponent

Apr 26, 2025; Iowa City, IA, USA; A detail view of a logo for the Big Ten Conference is seen during a spring NCAA football open practice at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Cress/For the Register | Joseph Cress/For the Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"That's a kid that is tough as nails. When he runs, he doesn't look to slide. He can sling it. With development, he's going to be one of the top dudes in the country. He's 6-6, tough to take down, can throw every ball. Needs a little bit more accuracy in the deep ball, but can throw it wherever he needs to put it. His eye progression needs a bit of work, but my guess is with another year, he's worked through that."

Iamaleava's Aura Instilling Confidence

Foster admits he's still learning stuff about his signal-caller, the biggest being the confidence the Tennessee transfer carries that is bleeding into the locker room.

"Just his presence," Foster said during Monday's media availability on what impresses him about Iamaleava off the field. "Has a calm demeanor to himself and is just a leader. He has an aura around him that you can kind of, like, 'OK, he has confidence.'"

When you've been the topic of critique all offseason, like Iamaleava has, following his public dispute and departure from Tennessee in April, it may be surprising to learn that the redshirt sophomore isn't hearing all the noise.

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