Nico Iamaleava looks to have a bounce back year for the Bruins. After a 2025 season that saw him struggle with inconsistency. A whole new coaching staff comes in to try and revive him back to the player he was in 2024. The one that led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff. The talent is there, now it just needs to all be put together. Bob Chesney did a wonderful job in the transfer portal to try and fix things on the fly. He wasted no time in getting his quarterback the weapons he needs to succeed.
UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava has re-signed with the Bruins, @On3Sports has learned
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 22, 2025
He threw for 1,928 yards and 13 TDs this seasonhttps://t.co/DPj4TcblbD pic.twitter.com/mDgVq1iyB8
UCLA now has an all-purpose back in Wayne Knight that can handle the bulk of carries and catch out of the backfield. Iamaleava also now has a new trio of receivers that will make life much easier. Landon Ellis and Leland Smith are two big receivers that can stretch the defense and go get jump balls. While Semaj Morgan is a speedy receiver in the slot that has championship experience from Michigan. Each of these guys can beat 1-on-1 matchups and make life smooth.
UCLA fixes offensive line to protect Nico Iamaleava
The best part about it all? The offensive line has a whole new look. Chesney brought over experience to fix things in Riley Robell, Jordan Davis and Hall Schmidt. While securing the return of Eugene Brooks on the interior. The boys are ready to make sure Iamaleava’s jersey is free of grass stains in the 2026 campaign. Something that could not be said often in the 2025 season. It was one of the reasons that secured his return instead of hitting the transfer portal. Which was seen as a win as there is no year back with the ceiling that Iamaleava can give you.
BREAKING: JMU all-conference transfer OL Riley Robell has Committed to UCLA, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 5, 2026
The 6’3 290 OL started 11 games this season for the Dukes
He’ll have 2 years of eligibility left https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/CqYM0qo2wW
Now it is time to put it all together to see what can be accomplished. On paper this is a team that can easily go to a bowl game. After a three-win season in 2025, they can double that total to at least six with 41 new transfers coming in. Especially with a lot of them being familiar with the system coming over from James Madison, which was a College Football Playoff team. Iamaleava will have the keys to the offense and will bounce back well in 2026 and cement his NFL Draft status once again.
Prediction:
Completion % - 67%
Passing Yards - 3,367
Passing Touchdowns - 27
Interceptions - Nine
Rushing Yards - 413
Rushing Touchdowns - Six