College football world was in shock during Nico Iamaleava’s departure from Tennessee. After an NIL dispute, he left the Volunteers and returned closer to home in California, taking the reins as UCLA’s starting QB. Early reports suggest he’s already making waves with the Bruins. But the drama at Tennessee was no secret, with rumors swirling so wildly that the real story was hard to pin down. However, at B1G media days, Iamaleava finally cleared the air, calling it a family decision. “My driving factor to come back home was my family, and I hope every Tennessee fan understands that,” he said. Now, while he’s excited to be at UCLA, analysts are taking notice.

CBS Sports’ Chris Hummer isn’t holding back, and said, “I have talked to multiple people at UCLA and outside of UCLA that say Nico is worth 2 or 3 wins at least.” If he delivers, the Bruins could hit eight wins. A milestone they haven’t reached in a decade. So, with several winnable games on the schedule, Iamaleava has the chance to break UCLA’s long drought and make an immediate impact in Westwood. Given that, now an Arizona local is reportedly taking a five-figure gamble on Nico, showing just how much belief there is in his star potential.

Well, the stakes just got massive for UCLA. On August 13, Caesars Sportsbook revealed on X that a bettor in Arizona laid down $150 on the Bruins at +40000 to win the College Football Playoff. And that’s a potential payout of $60,000 if UCLA pulls off the improbable. Now, with Nico taking the reins at QB and early reports glowing, it’s clear bettors see him as the key to turning the Bruins into playoff dark horses.

Despite the offseason drama that brought him to Westwood, camp reports have been glowing. Coaches rave about his work ethic, leadership, maturity, and football IQ. “He’s been special,” one source said to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Bruins’ front office also boasts NFL experience with new OC Tino Sunseri. He has worked with Bryce Young, Tua Tagovailoa, and Mac Jones, Nico has the ideal environment to develop into an NFL-caliber QB. So, the infrastructure is solid, but questions remain about the supporting cast, from the receiving corps to the O-line and RBs. Not to mention whether the defense can consistently hold opponents.

Here, Zenitz remains optimistic and stated, “The Bruins feel like they have a realistic chance of being competitive in every game and surprising people with their final win total, especially with a schedule that includes only three games against teams ranked in the preseason AP poll.” In other words, with Nico leading the way, UCLA has a genuine game-changer ready to shake things up from day one. And why not?

Nico Iamaleava is a former 5-star talent with the size and arm strength to turn heads. Standing 6-foot-6 and 215 lbs, he can launch the deep ball with ease. At Tennessee, he put up solid numbers despite a system that didn’t fully meet his potential. In 2024, he threw for 2,616 yards and 19 TDs, while completing 63.8% of his passes. The stats show a QB ready to make an impact wherever he lands.

UCLA’s recruiting outlook since Nico Iamaleava’s arrival

At media days, Nico Iamaleava didn’t hold back about his ambitions with UCLA. And he made it clear this season is about making a mark. “This is a year where, you know, I’m really trying to get out after. So, you know, I’m going to give my all to UCLA, and, you know, if I have the year I want, you know, I want to get out,” remarked Iamaleava. Now, with his focus set on performing at the highest level, all eyes are on him to lead the Bruins. But since his arrival, UCLA’s recruiting has seen a noticeable boost.

“The UCLA Bruins have been one of the better teams in the recruiting cycle of 2026, and it is no secret that hot attractions that have the hype and a name for themselves, like Nico Iamaleava, can do that. This is something that we saw at Tennessee. Iamaleava was the catapult to help Tennessee get back into the rhythm of having top-10 recruiting classes,” wrote SI’s Caleb Sisk.

Simply put, Nico Iamaleava’s move to UCLA has already boosted the program’s recruiting momentum. Even his younger brother Madden, a 2025 four-star QB, transferred from Arkansas to join him. Analysts note that Nico’s star power has drawn attention from other high-profile recruits. Now, the question is whether Nico can lead UCLA to a breakout season.