Reports began circulating as early as Wednesday that Iamaleava, a promising redshirt freshman and ESPN’s top-ranked player in the transfer portal, was set to transfer to UCLA.
Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster declined to address the Iamaleava rumors during Friday’s Friday Night Lights event. However, he did provide an update on Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar, who had been a leading candidate for the starting quarterback role before news of Iamaleava’s move.
“We communicate with Joey just like we do with all the quarterbacks,” Foster said. “We talk about what’s going well, what needs work, and how he’s practicing. I like where he is right now, and I’m hopeful he continues progressing this spring.”
Meanwhile, Iamaleava’s younger brother Madden, a quarterback from Long Beach Poly, had been recruited by UCLA but chose to commit to Arkansas on signing day. He reacted to his brother’s transfer announcement on Instagram with a simple “mhm.”
Iamaleava’s addition could significantly shake up UCLA’s quarterback depth chart, which now includes seven players and is overseen by new offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri. Aguilar may end up competing with Iamaleava for the starting job—unless he opts to transfer. Luke Duncan, who had been getting second-team reps, might be pushed further down the rotation.
Five-star quarterback Brady Smigiel from Newbury Park High School, who listed UCLA among his top four choices in March, visited Michigan for its spring game instead of attending UCLA’s Friday Night Lights event.
Iamaleava comes to UCLA after a solid season at Tennessee, where he passed for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions, leading the team to the College Football Playoff. He now joins a Bruins offense that averaged 242.17 passing yards per game last season and finished 5-7 in their first year competing in the Big Ten.
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