Nico Iamaleava’s gorgeous switch saga has been the discuss of the faculty soccer world for the final week. After holding out from spring apply in an obvious effort to achieve extra NIL compensation, Tennessee elected to half methods with the previous high recruit.
The quarterback formally entered the switch portal on Wednesday, and is free to be recruited by any group within the nation. As the remainder of faculty soccer waits to see the place Iamaleava finally ends up, one high sports activities commentator made a declare on his potential subsequent vacation spot.
“I’m advised — moments in the past — Nico Iamaleava goes to UCLA,” Cowherd stated on X Wednesday.
I’m advised — moments in the past — Nico Iamaleava goes to UCLA. Household nonetheless claims it’s NOT concerning the 💰It’s concerning the @Vol_Football offense. I used to be not advised what the Bruins are paying.
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) April 16, 2025
“Household nonetheless claims it’s NOT concerning the [money] It’s concerning the Tennessee offense,” Cowherd added, noting that he was not knowledgeable about how a lot Iamaleava could be paid to go to UCLA.
If the Bruins have been to land Iamaleava within the switch portal, it will be an enormous pickup for a program trying to discover its footing in a brand new convention. UCLA completed with a 5-7 file final 12 months, their first within the Massive Ten. The Bruins additionally launched a brand new head coach in DeShaun Foster following Chip Kelly’s departure to Ohio State.
The connection between Iamaleava and UCLA is smart, as he was recruited by this system out of highschool. Iamaleava’s youthful brother Madden initially dedicated to UCLA earlier than signing with Arkansas as a quarterback.
Iamaleava helped lead Tennessee to the Faculty Soccer Playoff final season, however the Volunteers have been ready to maneuver on from him after his calls for for extra NIL cash.
© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Pictures
“It is the state of school soccer. On the finish of the day, nobody is ever larger than this system. That features me, too,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel stated on Saturday, previous to the group’s annual spring recreation.
“We’ve obtained a chance. We’ve obtained a bunch of fellows that may give their all for Tennessee.”
Tennessee will seemingly flip to both George MacIntyre or Jake Merklinger within the quick time period, however they might additionally select to deliver one other quarterback in from the switch portal.
We’ll see what the long run holds for Iamaleava, however indicators are at the moment pointing to him turning into a UCLA Bruin – at the very least for the 2025 faculty soccer season.
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