The Nico Iamaleava ordeal sparked discussion on a variety of subjects. How the advent of NIL and the transfer portal facilitates messy situations, such as this, is at the crux of these subjects. However, one thing got pushed to the back burner. Just how will Iamaleava do at his new stomping grounds? In the aftermath of his sensational move from Tennessee to UCLA, we at EssentiallySports did an exclusive interview with former All-American tight end and College Football analyst Adam Breneman and asked him how he sees things transpire for Nico.
For the uninitiated, Nico Iamaleava’s time in Knoxville came to an abrupt end after his entourage’s efforts to renegotiate his already steep $2 million/year NIL deal rubbed the Tennessee brass the wrong way. His attempt at gauging his leverage by missing their final spring practice was the nail in the proverbial coffin. HC Josh Heupel had to take a stance, and he essentially told Nico to kick rocks. Fast-forward to the present day, and Nico’s back in his native California. Which is probably why Adam Breneman, in an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, reckoned Nico Iamaleava will thrive at UCLA.
“I love that fit,” said Adam Breneman. “[Nico Iamaleava] will be coached by DeShaun Foster, who’s building a new identity for that program. [He] will have the keys to the offense from day one. It gives him a fresh start on a big stage, in a wide-open Big Ten, with a chance to showcase what makes him special. If UCLA builds around him, it could be a huge move for both sides,” Breneman told EssentiallySports.
The Bruins’ first year in the Big 10 after realigning from the Pac-12 wasn’t what you’d deem a success. But a 5-7 record isn’t representative of a failure either. It seems hyperbolic to suggest UCLA makes too much noise in the B1G, arguably the most top-heavy faction in the country. But Nico does potentially bring them to prominence on the field, which he has already done off it.
Even though Nico Iamaleava smeared his perception and image amongst the masses, this is still a very good quarterback. A former 5-star prospect, there’s a reason Tennessee and their collective offered him the NIL deal they did in the first place. He’s a force multiplier who can accentuate the supporting cast around him. To use a Charles Barkley analogy, he’s a bus driver rather than a bus rider. A truck, not a trailer. Someone who can propel UCLA from mediocrity to the upper echelons of the Big 10. A conference Breneman has experience traversing as a Penn State alum.
Conceded, how the move came about is a travesty. But Nico Iamaleava’s career in the sport is still tracking well. He has burned a lot of bridges, but raising the tide for the Bruins’ program will go a long way in warming him back to the world of football. Positive results and performances will cast a fresh layer of sheen over the ugly nature of how things went down. HC DeShaun Foster will surely hope Nico can shrug off the baggage and resentment he has brought upon himself and play his best football. Which, you’d think, is yet to come. While his stint in Tennessee was prosperous for the program, it wasn’t all him.
DeShaun Foster is adding pieces around Nico Iamaleava to help him thrive
Nico Iamaleava can hang his hat on the fact that he led Tennessee to its first-ever CFP. In a vacuum, sans context, that’s brilliant. Something the Vols can’t take away from him, despite how blemished his image now is at Rocky Top. But Nico didn’t do it alone. You can make the argument that he wasn’t the driving force for that offense and, by extension, the team. His running back, Dylan Sampson, was opening up a lot for Nico individually.
Come to think of it, this is a bit of an issue for DeShaun Foster. What Adam Breneman said in his exclusive EssentiallySports interview is fair, but there’s one thing that counteracts it- Nico’s apparent reliance on a good running game. Fortunately for UCLA, they should be able to field one. They’ve just acquired Jaivian Thomas from an in-state school, Cal. Now entering his junior year, Thomas led the Golden Bears in rushing last season. This is someone who can complement Nico Iamaleava in the backfield and alleviate some of the onus and responsibility resting on him.
It’ll be fascinating to see whether Nico Iamaleava sinks or swims. UCLA viewing figures are going to skyrocket regardless. Even before he took to the gridiron, he’s mobilized some national attention for the program. The scrutiny is going to be at 11. But on the bright side, it shines the spotlight on DeShaun Foster. Who Adam Breneman is a proponent of.
The post (EXCLUSIVE) UCLA’s ‘New Identity’ With Nico Iamaleava Set to Shake up Big 10; Calls Adam Breneman appeared first on EssentiallySports.