Nico Iamaleava is in a prime position for a big season

The UCLA Bruins have done a great job this offseason going out in the transfer portal and picking up talent. When they secured the return of Nico Iamaleava, it checked off one box of a position of need. Allowing Bob Chesney and his staff to focus on other areas. Which included making sure their quarterback has all he needs for a big-time season. They revamped the offensive line to give him protection and went out and got him pass catchers and a good all-around running back in Wayne Knight. Setting him up to have a good season for the Bruins in 2026.

There was so much hype built around Iamaleava in 2025. The Bruins were able to get him in the transfer portal and were ready to take the next step. An 0-4 start that included a head coaching change and then coordinator shuffling. Brought that excitement down quite a few levels. Iamaleava made some bad throws at times, but the protection was also never there. He often had to scramble for his life or get the ball out within two seconds to make a play.

The Penn State and Michigan State games, we saw what he could truly be. A quarterback that could run through all his reads and make big-time throws. Unfortunately, after that many defensive coordinators caught onto Jerry Neuheisel’s schemes and were able to expose weaknesses. Neuheisel being a first time play caller had trouble adjusting and UCLA lost five straight to end the year, struggling offensively. But Iamaleava never wavered when he could’ve packed it in. He played until the end and didn’t quit on his team, even while injured at 3-9.

The UCLA staff made it a point that things need to change. Chesney came in hitting the ground running, out goes players and in comes new ones. Leland Smith and Landon Ellis will be huge on the outside. Iamaleava now has two receivers that can go get a jump ball. With a speedy guy like Semaj Morgan inside that can break down slot corners. All while having the protection upfront to keep grass stains off his jersey. When all else breaks down he has one of the best gadget running backs in the nation in Knight for a dump off.