‘Boxes to check’ for rising NFL Draft prospect who took NIL pay cut to return home

There might just be a new name to monitor in the eagerly anticipated quarterback class of 2027.

Arch Manning and Dante Moore have set the early pace as potential No 1 picks, while CJ Carr, LaNorris Sellars and Trinidad Chambliss have huge potential.

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But over on the West Coast, there is a growing feeling that UCLA have a potent weapon ready to line up under center and join the party.

Nico Iamaleava was a 2025 transfer from Tennessee, amid a controversial exit surrounding his NIL deal, but an underwhelming Bruins season dampened expectations.

However, he had his moments, notably leading UCLA to a memorable win over then No 7 ranked Penn State.

A to Z Sports annual pre college football season report into the rising players at the position, has Iamaleava as ‘a riser to keep a close eye on.’

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“According to a West Coast scout who has been out to see Iamaleava recently, he looks awesome and the talent around him is a ton better than it was a year ago,” national college football writer Ryan Roberts wrote.

“There are many around the NFL who have labeled Iamaleava as the potential big riser in the class if he can check off all the boxes off the field.”

After one season as a starter in Tennessee in 2024, Iamaleava transferred to UCLA and pocketed a new NIL deal worth more than $1.5million – a total which was less than his $2.4million deal with the Volunteers.

It prompted questions over the 2023 five-star recruit’s character, doubts which respected ESPN draft reporter Todd McShay says the NFL do not share.

“I get it — the Tennessee debacle, he transfers, all the problems, the money, this and that,” he said earlier this summer on his podcast.

“Last year, [he] was up and down. I promise you, teams are keeping a close eye.

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“I told you this in October last year, the NFL’s view of Iamaleava is different than the public perception.”

A 3-9 season for the Bruins was not what Iamaleava – or the team – was expecting following his arrival from Tennessee despite 11 starts and a career high completion percentage.

Bob Chesney has taken over as head coach after leaving James Franklin, replacing DeShaun Foster, and giving the quarterback a settled environment after the changes of 2025 and in McShay, Iamaleava has a fan.

“Iamaleava is a gazelle with a rocket launcher,” McShay said.

“He’s in this situation with the skillset that is so special and so dynamic but needs, so desperately, this stability that Chesney’s bringing in with him.”

Who is Nico Iamaleava?

There’s no doubt the tools are there for the 21-year-old who stands 6ft 6in, but a consistent season will do wonders for his stock.

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Arizona, Cleveland, Miami and the New York Jets are among those expecting to be picking high and all are in need of a new face of the franchise.

McShay has also had Iamaleava among the big hitters for a 2027 class that many are projecting could be game changing for teams at the top of next year’s draft.

“One scouting service that a lot of NFL teams subscribe to had [the quarterbacks for the 2027 draft ranked as] (Arch) Manning, (Dante) Moore, (LaNorris) Sellers, (Sam) Leavitt, (Brendan) Sorsby, Iamaleava,” McShay added

“That scouting service did not, as redshirt sophomores, have CJ Carr from Notre Dame and Julian Sayin from Ohio State on that list. So it goes to show you that there are some people who are really high on Nico Iamaleava.”

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Iamaleava has been enjoying a strong camp for a UCLA squad unranked in AP’s preseason poll, topped by Ohio State.

ESPN’s draft expert Jordan Reid currently has Iamaleava projected as a potential Day 3 pick, with Manning, Moore and Carr joined by Drew Mestermaker as first round options.

Speaking to the media earlier this week, he spoke about how that mentality is fuelling a bounceback for a Bruins team chasing a first winning season since 2023.

“In Tennessee, I was in a rough mental state as far as being far from home, but that’s what came with me growing and maturing,” Iamaleava said.

“Coming back home has been a great transition, and I can’t wait to play this year.

“Everybody counted us out. Last year wasn’t a great year for us, so we’re not on anybody’s radar – that fuels us, and really playing for each other is going to be the main thing.”