Westwood, CA – Quarterback Nico Iamaleava will return to the UCLA football program for the 2026 season, giving the Bruins a proven leader and one of the Big Ten’s most dynamic dual-threat players for his redshirt junior year.
The Long Beach, California, native announced his decision to forgo the 2026 NFL Draft in an Instagram post, signaling his commitment to continue building UCLA’s program after a breakout 2025 campaign. Iamaleava emerged as the centerpiece of the Bruins’ offense last season, accounting for the majority of the team’s production and providing stability at the game’s most important position.
“I’m not done yet,” Iamaleava wrote in his announcement. “There’s more to accomplish with my brothers, and I believe in what we’re building at UCLA.”
In 2025, Iamaleava completed 208 of 323 passes (64.4%) for 1,928 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also led the Bruins in rushing, totaling 505 yards on 112 carries, showcasing the versatility that made him one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the Big Ten Conference. Overall, he accounted for 17 of UCLA’s 24 total touchdowns, underscoring his importance to the offense.
Iamaleava consistently delivered explosive plays, leading the team with 10 rushing attempts of 20 or more yards. He recorded four games with at least 200 passing yards and finished as UCLA’s leading rusher in five contests, an uncommon feat for a quarterback at the Power Five level.
His signature performance came Oct. 4 at the Rose Bowl, when UCLA stunned then-No. 7 Penn State 42-37. Iamaleava produced 294 yards of total offense and scored five touchdowns — three rushing and two passing — to lift the Bruins to their first victory over an AP top-10 opponent since 2010. The performance earned him a sweep of national weekly honors from the Associated Press, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Davey O’Brien Award and Manning Award, along with Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week recognition.
UCLA coach Bob Chesney said retaining Iamaleava was a major boost for the program as it looks ahead to the 2026 season. “Nico is a competitor in every sense of the word,” Chesney said. “He elevates everyone around him, and his decision to return says a lot about his belief in this team and this university.”
A local Southern California product, Iamaleava starred at Warren High School in Downey, where he developed into one of the region’s top quarterbacks before continuing his career in Westwood. His return provides UCLA with continuity on offense and a veteran presence as the Bruins aim to build momentum in the Big Ten.
With Iamaleava back under center, UCLA enters 2026 with optimism — and a quarterback capable of changing games with both his arm and his legs.
