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What's next for Nico Iamaleava? From prized recruit to Tennessee exit, UCLA rise and ACL tear

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL in a game against Oregon earlier this month, and he is slated for surgery early next week as the No. 9 Bruins push toward the end of their campaign.

The injury adds to a turbulent college journey that began when the Long Beach native was the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2023 class, trailing only Arch Manning, and signed an unprecedented $8 million NIL deal with Tennessee under coach Josh Heupel.

At Tennessee, Iamaleava spent his first year backing up Joe Milton, saw reserve action against Vanderbilt completing nine of twelve passes for 66 yards, and started the bowl where the Vols beat No. 17 Iowa 35‑0, throwing for 151 yards and a touchdown.

After transferring to UCLA, he joined a program that started the season undefeated under Bob Chesney before his season‑ending injury.

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