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UCLA Leans on Nico Iamaleava as Starter as Backup Battle and WR Questions Persist

He says the move was driven by family proximity and UCLA’s culture under DeShaun Foster.

Overview

  • DeShaun Foster said the No. 2 quarterback job is still up for grabs, with redshirt sophomores Luke Duncan and Pierce Clarkson competing in camp.
  • Freshman Madden Iamaleava and Henry Hasselbeck are also in the room, with the younger Iamaleava viewed as a likely redshirt candidate this season.
  • Receiver availability remains uncertain, as Kwazi Gilmer and Mikey Matthews sat out recent practices for rest and monitoring and transfer Kaedin Robinson is ineligible due to a legal issue.
  • UCLA enters 2025 with 55 new players and eight new assistants, including offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, who replaces Eric Bieniemy and is reworking the offense behind a revamped line.
  • Iamaleava is the expected starter after a high-profile transfer from Tennessee, and former Bruins quarterback Joey Aguilar is slated to start for the Volunteers.