The dust has just begun to settle on Nico Iamaleava and the theatrics of his transfer to UCLA. It’s an obvious downgrade for him, but the elite QB is a much-needed upgrade for the Bruins. He’ll be coming off the learning style inculcated by Josh Heupel, to one that’ll now be shaped by DeShaun Foster. Is his new coach hoping to build off of what Heupel and Co. have already made out of the QB? Iamaleava doesn’t have much time to properly soak in the Bruins culture before the season begins, but Foster is confident about his plan for him. But his new stint will have to wait, because he is yet to close shop at Tennessee.
Iamaleava’s arrival at the Bruins was marked with lots and lots of activity. Before his commitment was made public, the quarterback room was informed of his arrival. Iamaleava is one of the most prominent faces in CFB as of now, transfer portal dramatics aside. Naturally, his arrival caused a shakeup in the QB room, which already had some great names. A disgruntled Joey Aguilar, who was looking to be QB1 for the Bruins this year, saw an opportunity here. He is now at Tennessee, in the space vacated by Iamaleava. But now that he’s here, in a new program and culture, how is Foster looking to coach the already seasoned QB?
Iamaleava will be joining the Bruins with very little time to train. But Foster seems to have a plan in place for him, based on what he told the press on May 4. “Just as soon as he’s done with school, he’ll be able to just start learning online or virtually with our coaches and everything,” the HC said. The former Tennessee QB is yet to arrive on campus because he’s busy completing his semester. Meanwhile, Foster is heavily banking on the experience that comes with having Heupel as his former coach. He also said that he won’t be sending over the playbook to Iamaleava, since he will be joining sometime soon.
“He’s played quarterback at a high level. And when you’re switching teams, it’s not the hardest thing to do. It’s mostly just figuring out what we call something that they already called, you know?” Foster said. Iamaleava already comes with some great talent and potential to improve, and UCLA will pick up on that job right away. “[It’s] not like we really have to teach him the whole new playbook. It’s more of him figuring out the calls and what we call something that he’s already had. We’re just looking forward to just getting the opportunity to teach him,” the HC added. Meanwhile, Iamaleava is making sure to keep connecting with his new folks at UCLA.
Nico Iamaleava is already making his presence known at UCLA
While the star QB is yet to formally begin his UCLA tenure, he is dropping in for casual visits at his new home. And, since brother Madden Iamaleava is also joining the program, it’s now become a family affair. Nico paid Foster and Co. a visit over the weekend to catch their spring showcase. He was seen signing posters for young fans who crowded him, and also talking to the staff on the sidelines. Though yet to take the field, Iamaleava sent a clear message about his future by donning the Bruins cap.
His last semester at Tennessee will wrap up with finals week, running from May 9 through 14. And after that, Iamaleava will immediately begin the next phase of his career. It’s going to be an intensely demanding one, but he has to make do with the time he gets. He will still have some training in him by the time he arrives at the Rose Bowl, because he did complete spring camp under Josh Heupel. It’s only a matter of a few weeks before the QB will begin his offseason practice with Foster.
The curtains have closed on the former Tennessee QB’s dramatic exit. The ones for his UCLA chapter will be opening soon. And because it is the Nico Iamaleava, we’ll be seated for the show nonetheless. How will he fare in his new home this season?
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