Nico Iamaleava Plans Return to UCLA in 2027 Amid ACL Recovery
Nico Iamaleava, the UCLA quarterback, has expressed his intention to return to the team in 2027 following an ACL injury sustained during a game against Oregon on October 10. His agent confirmed this to CBS Sports.
Since Iamaleava's injury, Ty Dieffenbach, a transfer from Cal Poly, has taken over as the starting quarterback and has led the Bruins to victories against Wisconsin and Michigan State. He also contributed significantly with a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the game against Oregon.
Both Iamaleava and Dieffenbach are listed as seniors, with each having one year of eligibility remaining under the NCAA's new rules. Iamaleava's decision to stay at UCLA allows him to recover fully from his injury while potentially improving his draft prospects for the NFL. The Bruins are currently preparing for a game against Nevada, and Dieffenbach's performance has raised questions about the team's quarterback dynamics moving forward.
