Film breakdown: ‘Dual-threat’ quarterback Nico Iamaleava brings speed, strength to UCLA offense

Quarterbacks like Nico Iamaleava seem to come around once in a lifetime in Westwood.

And in April, the Bruins found their front man for the 2025 season.

Iamaleava, a five-star recruit in the class of 2023, transferred to UCLA football after playing for Tennessee. Leading the Volunteers to 10 wins and a College Football Playoff berth in 2024, the redshirt freshman tallied 2,616 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns alongside five interceptions.

From a coaching perspective, Iamaleava represents the perfect package for an offense that failed to build momentum in UCLA’s inaugural Big Ten season – averaging just 18.4 points per game to finish No. 126 in the FBS in scoring offense. His time in the Southeastern Conference – arguably collegiate football’s most physical conference – provided Iamaleava with a valuable experience advantage as he adjusts to new competition in the Big Ten.

Iamaleava’s biggest selling point is his arm talent – a trait that tabbed him as the nation’s second best quarterback prospect in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports. His ability to easily make completions on deep concepts will allow offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri to unleash UCLA’s speedy weapons on vertical routes and deep crossing patterns that can generate explosive plays.

Iamaleava’s touch and ability to hit deep passes and receivers in stride was on display throughout his tenure as a Volunteer. As seen in the play below, Iamaleava leaves just enough air underneath his third down pass to hit wide receiver Chris Brazzell II in the back right corner of the end zone for a game-winning touchdown.

Bruin fans should also expect Iamaleava to become more disciplined in his decision making and game awareness in his second full season as a starting quarterback. Working with Sunseri, a coach who oversaw Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke’s record-breaking 2024 campaign, should improve his ability to read an opposing defense and make confident decisions with the ball.

A lightning-quick release – one of the collegiate football’s fastest – will enable Sunseri to install more run-pass options and play action concepts with tighter passing windows. In the below clip, Iamaleava utilizes a play action concept to draw secondary defenders down before delivering a quickly released bullet pass to the crossing receiver for the touchdown.

Iamaleava’s lone season as Tennessee’s field general was highlighted by his comfort operating in a simple system. As a passer, he doesn’t necessarily seem to thrive when forced to make multiple reads – most of his incompletions were a product of forced throws to a covered primary route.

Displayed in the below clip, Iamaleava overlooked his primary route throughout the duration of the play, allowing the defender to follow Iamaleava’s eyes as they stared at the developing route.

Utilizing his athleticism, Iamaleava demonstrates an ability to force the ball downfield from unconventional launch points in the pocket. He has the ability to hit receivers at all distances while on the run, especially when rolling out to his dominant side.

On a designed rollout to his right during Tennessee’s seven-point win against SEC rival Alabama in October, Iamaleava unleashed a downfield dart on the run, threading the ball to his streaking receiver in stride for an explosive play – all without setting his feet.