If you’re excited for Nico Iamaleava’s 2026 season, you’re not alone. Ahead of Iamaleava and the UCLA Bruins season debut on Saturday, college football analyst Todd McShay appeared on the Bill Simmons Podcast and gushed about UCLA’s signal caller.
The former five-star recruit is flying a bit under the radar after a 2025 season where the Bruins offense struggled and the team finished 3-9 as a whole. Even amidst the struggles for the team, Iamaleava flashed moments of brilliance.
“I don’t think people nationally have a clue how good Nico is,” McShay said. “He’s got a toughness about him that I didn’t expect. He’s got an ability to bounce-back from mistakes. This guy loves ball, you can’t hide that on tape.”
Even with those intangibles, it’s the combination
of Iamaleava’s size and speed for the quarterback position. That skillset not only makes him an exciting college quarterback, it makes him a potential option at the NFL level.
“A 6’5” gazelle when he takes off to run. Then you watch the ability to, at 6’5”, make guys miss in small spaces,” McShay said of the UCLA quarterback. “There’s nothing he can’t do. Now his deep ball accuracy was atrocious at Tennessee. I’m interested to see this year if he can improve that area.”
“There’s nothing he can’t do.”@McShay13 on why UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava could be the potential breakout QB of the 2027 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/b3xcimIGBK
— The Ringer (@ringer) September 2, 2026
The Bruins will be needing Iamaleava to lead the way for a new-look offense under first-year offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy. Iamaleava entered the NCAA as an extremely highly-touted recruit, now he’s got the opportunity to put those skills together in 2026.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: College football analyst Todd McShay gushes over Nico Iamaleava
