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3w ago

Nico Iamaleava Set to Start for UCLA as Debate Over His Tennessee Exit Intensifies

Reports say his UCLA compensation is lower than what he sought at Tennessee.

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Nico Iamaleava #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers attempts a pass during the first half of the Duke's Mayo Classic against the NC State Wolfpack at Bank of America Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Overview

  • First-year head coach DeShaun Foster publicly endorsed Iamaleava as UCLA's leader and starting quarterback ahead of Saturday's opener against Utah.
  • Speaking to reporters, Iamaleava emphasized extra post-practice work, growing into a more vocal role under coordinator Tino Sunseri, and settling in back home with family support.
  • Colin Cowherd argued Iamaleava should have stayed at Tennessee for stronger competition, while Joel Klatt defended the move and criticized Josh Heupel's scheme as limiting for quarterback development.
  • Coverage recapped reports that Iamaleava's camp sought roughly $4 million at Tennessee and that his UCLA NIL payout is reportedly around just under $2 million this season.
  • As UCLA prepares for Utah at the Rose Bowl on FOX, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham and AD Mark Harlan discussed exploring multi-year revenue-sharing contracts to curb transfer-portal churn.