Nico Iamaleava Does Not Impress NFL Draft Analyst Rajvir Bal

One of the biggest stories in college football this offseason has been that of quarterback (QB) Nico Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee to UCLA.

It’s a curious case, and it begs the question ⎯

Did Tennessee make a mistake not paying Iamaleava? And how does he project to the NFL?

Let’s look at his background, unpack how he looked on game film, and see how he currently projects to the NFL based on my perspective.

Background

Iamaleava was a five-star prospect out of high school and one of the most coveted players in the 2023 recruiting class (247Sports). He played both football and volleyball in high school.

Iamaleava’s Stats:

2024:

• 13 games played
• 213 completions
• 334 attempts (63.8%)
• 2,616 yards 
• 19 touchdowns
• Five interceptions

#8 (his jersey number at Tennessee) Nico Iamaleava 6-foot-6, 215 pounds 
Rajvir Bal’s Summer 2026 NFL Draft Grade: Fifth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)
Projected by 43.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of May 8, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2024 game film reviewed: Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Skittish Pocket Presence

This is the first thing that jumps off the film with Iamaleava.

• Jittery
• Scared Vibe

These are not the words anyone in the NFL likely would want to hear in a scouting room associated with a QB prospect.

Iamaleava is a good athlete, but he doesn’t have good pocket presence. Specifically, he seems scattered and doesn’t have the mechanics to sit in the pocket and deliver consistent, good throws downfield.

Said another way, he comes off stiff (or wound up). He doesn’t have the pro-level instincts to operate in the pocket.

This is especially concerning because poise is essential to succeeding in the NFL.

Poor Ball Placement

It’s not pretty.

• His throws are all over the road

Iamaleava struggled connecting with his receivers downfield. It’s like he couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn. Passes were often sailing over receivers’ heads or landing yards short of them.

If I had to guess, this comes from his awful mechanics, specifically on his dropback and throwing motion.

Quarterbacks who can’t consistently locate their targets don’t last in the NFL.

What Are the Positives?

• RAW BIG ARM
• MOBILITY
• RUNNING SPEED

This is the draw. These are the three things that have made him a “hot commodity” in college football.

What do I mean by a RAW BIG ARM?

Iamaleava boasts one of the strongest arms in college football. He can PUSH the ball downfield (accuracy is the issue).

How about the other two traits?

Iamaleava also has great mobility (which needs to somehow translate to evading sacks to have it matter in the NFL) and is one of the fastest QBs I’ve watched on tape.

Per ESPN, Iamaleava was sacked 28 times last season.

How Does He Fit On An NFL Team?

Honest answer: he doesn’t have a chance in a pro-style offense at this point.

Could that change?

Anything is possible.

However, based on the information I have right now, between his unorthodox play style and reportedly diva-like attitude, Iamaleava feels like an odd fit on an NFL roster.

To be playable, a team would have to completely shift their identity into a ‘Run N’ Gun’ (a fast-paced, pass-heavy scheme that spreads the field with multiple receivers to create mismatches and emphasizes quick decision-making by the quarterback) style to fit Iamaleava. Even in such a scheme, he profiles more as a situational backup than a reliable starter.

Ten Adjectives

Raw. Skittish. Athletic. Inaccurate. Stiff. Undisciplined. Overhyped. Scatterbrained. Unpolished. Flashy.

2026 NFL Draft Report Card

2024 Game Film Summary

There’s a place for traits-based quarterbacks in the NFL, but Iamaleava will need to grow up fast—on and off the field—if he wants to stick around.

Rajvir Bal is a high school student from the Virginia area. He grew up a rabid Washington Redskins fan, attending more than 30 games, and has enjoyed the team’s high points and low points throughout his life. He plays varsity football and basketball. Rajvir has taken an interest in the NFL Draft since middle school when his team picked Montez Sweat and Dwayne Haskins in the first round. His favorite NFL player ever flips between Rob Gronkowski and Brett Favre, and his favorite athlete is LeBron James. He has been writing his own scouting reports since 2020, and is excited for the opportunities FirstRoundMock provides.