Nico Iamaleava
UCLA#300 overallDraft Movement
Down 36 spots since Jun 8
Scouting Report
Nico Iamaleava is one of the most physically gifted and polarizing quarterback prospects in the 2027 draft cycle, a 6'6", 215-pound dual-threat out of UCLA who carries the weight of enormous expectations from his recruitment through a turbulent college career. He starred at Long Beach Poly where he earned Polynesian High School Player of the Year honors and was rated the nation's top overall recruit, arriving at Tennessee as one of the most hyped signal-callers in recent memory. After a redshirt year, Iamaleava burst onto the scene in the 2024 Citrus Bowl, shredding Iowa's defense in a 35-0 blowout and earning MVP honors on four touchdown performances, becoming the first Tennessee freshman QB to win a bowl game since Peyton Manning in 1994. His 2024 redshirt freshman campaign produced 2,616 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions while he led Tennessee to 10 regular-season wins and a College Football Playoff appearance, the first in program history during that era. A contentious NIL dispute in spring 2025 led to his departure from Knoxville and a transfer to UCLA, where he operates in a more pro-style system under DeShaun Foster's successor staff. In his first season with the Bruins, he posted 1,928 yards, 64.4 completion percentage, 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The performance that most elevated his draft stock came in Week 6 against No. 7 Penn State, where he finished 17-of-24 for 166 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing 16 times for 128 yards and three scores to deliver a stunning upset, earning a 97.4 QBR in that contest. Scouts note his burst into open space, ability to run through tackles, and arm strength to push the ball vertically as NFL-caliber traits. His 81.7 passing grade at Tennessee ranked as a top-20 mark in college football that season. Scouts describe him as a raw but upside-laden prospect who projects best to the 2027 or 2028 class due to his limited career starts and ongoing consistency issues. He projects as a Day 3 p
Strengths
- Elite arm talent with tremendous velocity and tight spiral on all throw types
- Exceptional mobility for his 6'6" frame, forcing defenses to account for him in the run game (128 rushing yards and 3 TDs against Penn State in one game)
- Lightning-quick release that pairs naturally with RPO concepts
- Rare natural height advantage in the pocket, rarely gets passes batted at the line
- Finished second in the SEC in 50-plus yard completions (6) during his Tennessee redshirt freshman season
- 81.7 passing grade at Tennessee was a top-20 mark in college football in 2024
- Posted 75.0-plus overall grades in four of Tennessee's final seven contests including the College Football Playoff
- First Tennessee freshman QB to lead the program to 10 regular-season wins
Weaknesses
- Accuracy inconsistency is the primary on-field concern, particularly on deep and downfield throws where he tends to fire at full velocity rather than varying touch
- Frame is thin at 215 pounds on a 6'6" body, raising durability questions at the professional level
- Footwork breaks down under pressure, especially when moving left, leading to errant throws
- Telegraphs his intentions at times rather than manipulating defenders with his eyes
- Limited sample size with career starting experience still in the low-to-mid 20s entering the 2025 UCLA season
- Transfer history and NIL dispute at Tennessee raised character and maturity questions that scouts must evaluate carefully
- Parental overinvolvement cited as an off-field red flag by multiple evaluators
- Struggled with completion percentage early in the Tennessee run, completing just 45% of passes and throwing for only 104 yards in the playoff loss to Ohio State
NFL Comparison
Justin Herbert (similar tall, athletic California QB with elite arm talent and dual-threat ability who needed seasoning before reaching his ceiling); Aaron Rodgers (successor archetype: arm talent, mobility, and a developmental runway behind an established starter)
College Stats
2023 (Tennessee, True Freshman): 1 bowl start - Citrus Bowl vs Iowa, 4 total TDs, MVP; 2024 (Tennessee, Redshirt Freshman): 2,616 passing yards, 19 TDs, 5 INTs, 364 rushing yards, led Tennessee to 10 regular-season wins and CFP appearance, 81.7 passing grade (top-20 in FBS); 2025 (UCLA, Redshirt Sophomore): 1,928 passing yards, 64.4 completion%, 13 TDs, 7 INTs through season
College Market Value
Our model prices him at $3.80M on the open college market, built from production, pedigree, role and UCLA's program money. No credible deal has been reported for him this season.
The college fantasy model projects 14.7 PPG (QB29), after 13.2 PPG across 11 games last year.
Every P4 player priced, math public: College players & NIL · Roster spend
Measurables
Awards & Honors
Nation's No. 1 overall recruit; Polynesian High School Player of the Year; 2024 Citrus Bowl MVP; First Tennessee freshman QB to win a bowl game since Peyton Manning (1994); First Tennessee QB to lead program to 10 regular-season wins as a true or redshirt freshman