It was one of those weeks where headlines could have hijacked the narrative. The online rumor mill didn’t sleep for three days – whispers that former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava was en route to Westwood from Tennessee reverberated across social media. Read more...
Photo: Redshirt senior quarterback Joey Aguilar prepares to throw the ball at Drake Stadium during UCLA football’s annual Friday Night Lights and ninth practice of the spring. (Jeannie Kim/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Former Tennessee starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava has committed to UCLA football, he announced Sunday afternoon via Instagram. The former five-star quarterback officially entered the transfer portal Wednesday morning – the first day of the spring transfer window – with a “do not contact” tag, signaling he either had a destination in mind or was letting his agent handle the process. For the past four days, rumors swirled about Iamaleava potentially transferring to UCLA, but it wasn’t until Sunday afternoon that the quarterback took to Instagram to officially reveal his decision. Iamaleava’s entry into the portal came as little surprise after his split from Tennessee last week, due to a deteriorating relationship with the program. Name, image and likeness played a major factor in his departure – per On3’s Pete Nakos. Read more...
Photo: UCLA football coach DeShaun Foster claps while watching his team warm up before a game. In the midst of Foster’s second spring practice, former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA. (Zimo Li/Photo editor)
This post was updated April 17 at 10:59 p.m. There’s no debate that recent name, image and likeness changes have transformed the current landscape of collegiate football. Read more...
Photo: UCLA football passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin guides his position group through drills Tuesday morning at Spaulding Field during the Bruins’ eighth spring practice. (Libby Li/Daily Bruin)
This spring may seem all too reminiscent of the last. A new offensive coordinator is trying to install his system. The starting quarterback is wearing No. Read more...
Photo: Redshirt sophomore tight end Jack Pedersen runs with the ball at Spaulding Field. (Brianna Carlson/Daily Bruin staff)
Two players charged down the field, colliding. Idle no longer, those on the sideline launched into the air as they cheered on their fellow teammates. Despite the ostensible winner and loser of the game simulation drill, three things remained constant among every player and coach at Spaulding Field on Saturday morning: smiles, laughter and dancing to the blaring music. Read more...
Photo: Freshman defensive back Jamir Benjamin engages in a one-on-one simulation drill with a fellow safety during Saturday morning’s practice at Spaulding Field. (Libby Li/Daily Bruin)
Mikey Matthews didn’t walk into the Bruins’ receiver room looking to ease in. The first thing on his to-do list was to give his group one command. Read more...
Photo: Wide receiver Mikey Matthews – who transferred from California to UCLA on Dec. 28 – catches the ball in a game against Oregon State last season. The sophomore has emerged as a leader on and off the field for UCLA’s receiver corps. (Courtesy of Cal Athletics)
This post was updated April 10 at 8:47 p.m.. Forty-one names shed the Bruins’ roster after the 2024 season. Whether through exhausted eligibility, the NFL Draft or the transfer portal, coach DeShaun Foster found himself in a rebuilding era less than a year after assuming the mantle for UCLA football. Read more...
Photo: Redshirt senior linebacker JonJon Vaughns practices tackling with a teammate during Tuesday morning’s practice at Spaulding Field. (Brianna Carlson/Daily Bruin staff)
