Iamaleava announces he'll return to UCLA in 2026

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava announced Monday that he plans to return for another season with UCLA.

"No place like home. Back with my brothers," Iamaleava wrote on an Instagram post.

Joining UCLA in 2025 after two seasons at Tennessee, Iamaleava passed for 1,928 yards and 13 touchdowns against seven interceptions in his first year with the Bruins. He also rushed for 505 yards and four TDs.

However, the Bruins widely fell short of expectations this past campaign. The program lost its first four contests before going on a three-game win streak but then dropped five straight over a tough final stretch to finish with a 3-9 record.

Iamaleava will have a new head coach on the sideline next year, as UCLA hired former James Madison boss Bob Chesney as its new head coach.