Nico Iamaleava

QB·UCLA#278 overall
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Draft Movement

#264 · Jun 8#278 · now

Down 14 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, NFL Draft Buzz tracked him at 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 per ESPN. WalterFootball noted his burst into open space, ability to run through tackles, and arm strength to push the ball vertically as NFL-caliber traits. PFF credited his 81.7 passing grade at Tennessee as a top-20 mark in college football that season. ESPN's Jordan Reid described him as a raw but upside-laden prospect who projects best to the 2027 or 2028 class due to his limited career starts

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 PFF passing grade at Tennessee was a top-20 mark in college football in 2024
  • Posted 75.0-plus PFF 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, per nflmockdraftdatabase.com and nfldraftbuzz.com); Aaron Rodgers (cited by nflmocks.com as a potential successor archetype for Pittsburgh, referencing the shared skill set of arm talent, mobility, and the need for 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 PFF passing grade (top-20 in FBS); 2025 (UCLA, Redshirt Sophomore): 1,928 passing yards, 64.4 completion%, 13 TDs, 7 INTs per NFLDraftBuzz tracking through season

Measurables

Height
6'6"
Weight
215

Awards & Honors

Nation's No. 1 overall recruit (On3, 247Sports 5-star, Rivals 6.1 rating); 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