What Early Practices Have Told Us About UCLA's Season

UCLA’s fall camp is in full swing, and there is worry beginning to brew among the UCLA offense, especially in the quarterback department.

As more and more reports become available, it seems as if quarterback Nico Iamaleava is having trouble getting started at camp, and it seems as if he’s begun the preseason with a slow start.

Slow Start for Nico Iamaleava

May 2, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) reacts during the spring game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As 247Sports reported, Iamaleava has started slow in fall camp. This means missing throws long and short, and having accuracy issues all over the field. For a team that has a strong coaching identity on the offensive side of the ball, these concerns certainly should raise alarms in all Bruins fans' heads.

May 2, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) during the spring game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Specifically, this should raise alarms because UCLA certainly doesn't want Iamaleava's slow start to reflect how their season may begin. It’s tough to get a fast start on the season if your quarterback can’t hit his stride by the beginning of the year.

With Cal and San Diego State on the horizon as the Bruins' first two opponents, UCLA truly cannot afford to start 0-2, especially with their non-conference games at the beginning of the season, as the road only gets harder from there.

Iamaleava is in good hands, though. Bob Chesney and Dean Kennedy are an offensive masterminded duo who should be able to get Nico off to a good start as they begin competition in September. Hopefully, for Iamaleava, he can figure things out throughout fall camp and allow fans to relax a bit more.

There is still plenty of time in fall camp for things to turn around, and though it seems like the college football season is quickly approaching, there are plenty of opportunities between now and then for Iamaleava to get it together and be ready to go at the top of his game.

Receiver Room Looking Promising

Elliss — Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes wide receiver Landon Ellis (13) runs after making a catch as Oregon Ducks defensive back Theran Johnson (5) defends during the second quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

If you want to look at the silver lining of this all, the reports stated that Iamaleava had trouble missing multiple open targets with his receivers. This means the UCLA receivers had consistent separation, as it looks like it’s turning out to be a good receiver room.

Plenty of the gears are turning for the Bruins, but between now and the beginning of the season, Chesney and his staff will have to work diligently to get all the guys on the same wavelength. No slow starts have ever helped anyone, and it certainly wouldn’t help a team like UCLA trying to get back on track.

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