Nico Iamaleava's start at UCLA hasn't gone as hoped. The quarterback can transfer after coach DeShaun Foster was fired, and he could leave now.
Could an annulment already be in the works in the Nico Iamaleava-UCLA marriage?
The 2025 college football campaign has been a disaster for the former Tennessee quarterback, as the Bruins have stumbled into an 0-3 start in a season that could very well end without a win. Yet it could get worse if Iamaleava decides to leave in the middle of the season.
The possibility is open after UCLA decided to fire coach Deshaun Foster after the brutal home loss to New Mexico, just 15 games into his tenure. When an NCAA coach gets fired, it gives that team's players the chance to assess their situations and decide if they want to find a new home.
So what will happen with Iamaleava? Here's what to know about his situation with the Bruins.
Can Nico Iamaleava enter transfer portal?
Yes. When a coach gets fired, it opens a 30-day transfer portal window for the team, beginning the day after the coach's firing. Since Foster was relieved of his duties on Sept. 14, Iamaleava has until Oct. 15 to enter the portal.
"A student-athlete may initiate notification of transfer during a 30 consecutive-day period beginning the day after a... the head coach of the student-athlete's team departs or announces departure from the institution."
That means he can play in UCLA's next three games against Northwestern (Sept. 27), Penn State (Oct. 4) and Michigan State (Oct. 11) before he has to make a decision to stay or leave. The Bruins host Maryland on Oct. 18, three days after the window closes.
However, should Iamaleava enter the portal, that would end his 2025 season, as players that leave mid-season are ineligible to play in the remainder of the campaign. Even if he finds a new home before the end of the season, Iamaleava wouldn't be able to play until 2026.
Should Nico Iamaleava transfer?
It could be the right move for Iamaleava.
Regardless of whether he does it during the 30-day window or after the season, it's likely Iamaleava transfers to potentially reboot his career and find a team where he could succeed. UCLA will be hiring a new coach for the 2026 season and will likely be rebuilding its program from the bottom — not the ideal situation for a quarterback the caliber of Iamaleava.
There will be teams in need of a quarterback after this season that could be looking for an experienced signal-caller to either maintain success or take them to the next level. Iamaleava can fit that mold.
Nico Iamaleava eligibility explained
What's unique about UCLA's situation is, since Foster was fired before the team played four games, players who have not redshirted can retain a year of eligibility if they leave the team, essentially wiping out what they played in the 2025 season. The current NCAA rules state a player can play up to four regular season games and retain their redshirt.
However, this does not apply to Iamaleava: He already used his redshirt during the 2023 season at Tennessee. So the 2025 season will count as a year of eligibility, which is why Iamaleava could end up staying with the Bruins through the rest of the year. This season marks Iamaleava's second year of eligibility.
Iamaleava will be a redshirt junior in 2026 and have two years of eligibility left, although he will also be eligible to enter the NFL draft.
UCLA backup quarterback options
If Iamaleava leaves, UCLA will have to turn to an inexperienced quarterback to take over for the rest of the season. Currently, the backup is redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan, who hasn't seen any action in his first two seasons on the team. Behind him is Madden Iamaleava, Nico's younger brother, who is a freshman.
The only quarterback with experience is Louisville transfer Pierce Clarkson. However, he is currently suspended indefinitely after he was arrested on a felony charge on Sept. 5.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Nico Iamaleava transfer from UCLA? Analyzing QB's decision
Category: General Sports
