Nico Iamaleava’s transfer from the Tennessee Volunteers to UCLA Bruins didn’t just give the Bruins a much-needed quarterback; it also provided a significant boost to the program. The 20-year-old signal-caller’s arrival fundamentally shifted UCLA’s recruiting momentum and even the financial dynamics of how players are committing to Westwood.

UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava set the record straight on his mentality for his new team after a controversial exit from Tennessee.

On Thursday, new University of California, Los Angeles quarterback Nico Iamaleava took to the podium for the first time as a Bruin, marking a major shift in how NIL deals can quickly change team dynamics and narratives.