Nico Iamaleava: UCLA tells QBS is heading for Bruins

Nico Iamaleava has a new team, and the UCLA coaching staff reportedly told the quarterback that the former Tennessee volunteer's signal colour would be expected to transfer to the Bruins on a per ESPN basis.

UCLA is connected to Iamaleava as they entered the transfer portal after reporting a rift with Tennessee over nil negotiations.

ESPN reports that “an formal decision is expected in the near future,” but the conversation with the current roster quarterback is a clear step that the Bruins are preparing for Iamaleava to join.

For sports coverage on foxnews.com, click here

It is unclear what zero negotiations occurred between UCLA and Iamaleava.

The drama surrounded Iamaleava and Tennessee, the latter standing firm against the former's alleged demands, as Iamaleava's father Nick had publicly denied that his son had left the program on financial grounds.

Nico Iamaleava could lose millions with new team after Tennessee drama: Report

Iamaleava's Nil Drama with Vols sent shockwaves through college football. Because he became the first college player to work hard from a program for bigger payments. His deal is worth up to $10 million over multiple seasons and is set to make $2.4 million this season, during which he was able to set himself as the first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

ESPN reported that Iamaleava is seeking a deal worth $4 million with Tennessee next season, leading to the College Football Playoffs last season. He reportedly felt that other quarterbacks who moved, including Carson Beck, who left the Georgia Bulldogs to join the Miami Hurricanes, deserved what he had gained.

Nico's father, Nick Iamaleava, denied that his son was pushing more money ahead of the season, telling Front Office Sports this Monday, “The story was a bull.”

Tennessee quarterback Nicoia Mareava will throw the ball in the first quarter on November 30, 2024 at First Bank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. (image)

Comments on the issue of Vols head coach Josh Heupel appeared to confirm that Iamaleava had left the spring game roster on Saturday due to a financial rift.

“No one is more than the program,” Hepel said, thanking Iamaleava for his service to the team. “That includes me too.”

Now heading for UCLA, Iamaleava has returned to Southern California, where he has emerged as a five-star prospect for Long Beach. He was hired by UCLA, a high school graduate, and his younger brother Madden had previously committed to the Bruins before signing with Arkansas.

Heading into his second year as head coach, Dehaun Foster will earn a major upgrade in his most important position on the field.

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamareava is off the field after a win over Kentucky in Knoxville, Tennessee on November 2, 2024. (Saul Young/News Sentinel/USA Today Network Imagn Images)

Click here to get the Fox News app

Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards last season with 19 touchdowns. Tennessee won a playoff spot in college football, but fell to Ohio State, seeing their national title hopes crushed.

Follow Fox News Digital's Sports Coverage on X and subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.