Nico Iamaleavas brother Madden also transferring to UCLA after NIL drama
It’s going to be an Iamaleava family affair in Westwood.New UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be joined by his brother, Madden, a fellow quarterback who is transferring from Arkansas, according to ESPN.Nico announced his commitment to UCLA on Sunday after a drama-filled NIL negotiation with Tennessee that resulted in the parties splitting.Madden, the No.145 prospect in the class of 2025, is returning to the school he had previously committed to in May 2024, per ESPN.He reportedly spent roughly eight months as a Bruins pledge before deciding during the early signing period to join the SEC like his older brother.Madden’s decision to join the Razorbacks marked a “major recruiting win” for coach Sam Pittman, per ESPN.
He then went through the spring program with the team before mirroring his brother’s move.The younger Iamaleava actually did not play his senior season with Long Beach Polytechnic after being declared ineligible, per ESPN.This move to UCLA allows the Long Beach, Calif., natives to be closer to home, and UCLA stands to benefit from the failed negotiations between Nico and the Volunteers.Nico allegedly sought a raise from his roughly $2.4 million NIL deal to a figure in the $4 million range and sat out spring practice while the sides negotiated.The sides ultimately split, with Tennessee coach Josh Heupel stating, per ESPN: “There’s no one bigger than the Power T, and that includes me.”Nico announced his transfer decision Sunday on social media.“My journey at UT has come to an end.This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon,” Nico wrote on Instagram.“But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be.
Even though, this chapter is ending, a new chapter has begun and I am committed to UCLA!”Nico threw for 19 touchdowns and rushed for three last season while leading Tennessee to the first round of the College Football Playoff, while Madden is ESPN’s ...