Big Ten college football analyst Yogi Roth is looking forward to junior quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s performance on a new team this fall.
“I'm going to talk about the most… I think [mis]understood quarterback in all of college football, Nico Iamaleava at UCLA,” Roth said in a video posted to Twitter Tuesday. “I think there was a label on him after everything that happened in Tennessee.”
"I expect him to have a big-time season."
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) August 26, 2025
🗣️ @YogiRoth on new @UCLAFootball QB Nico Iamaleava#B1GToday pic.twitter.com/bhiElvh3sG
As more time passes since Iamaleava’s transfer back in April, the quarterback seems to have shaken off the drama fairly easily, and appears to fit in well with the Bruins. UCLA is set to open its season at home against Utah Aug. 30 at 11 p.m. ET.
“I think his command of this system… only being there for a month in training camp, I think it's allowing him to process this system at a really high level,” Roth said. “I expect him to have a big-time season. And that first game against Utah, it's going to be one of the most aggressive defenses he'll face all season long. We are going to learn a lot about the Bruins on Saturday night.”
Head coach DeShaun Foster vocalized his excitement about Iamaleava joining the Bruins last month in Las Vegas at Big Ten Football Media Days. Plus, he’s made an effort to add more protection for the quarterback on the UCLA roster.
Though Foster and Bruins fans are placing a lot of hope in Iamaleava, some analysts are skeptical the quarterback is the key to a successful UCLA season.
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