Las Vegas – In his first public comments since his tumultuous transfer from Tennessee to UCLA in April, the Marshal of the Bruins, Nico Iamaleva, said Thursday that the decision to leave the volunteers was “one of the most difficult decisions that I have had to take.”
“My driving factor to return home was my family, and I hope that every Tennessee fan understands it,” Iamaleva said in Big Ten Media Days. “It was just a lot of drama, but man, I'm excited to be in UCLA.”
Iamaleva made multiple references to “false reports” about him, while in Tennessee he focused on him and his representation wanting higher null compensation. Long Beach's native, California, remained firm because the main motivation for his movement was not money but the proximity to the family. He said the reports made him feel “not comfortable in the position in which he was.”
“I think only the outside world, in general, thinks it was something that was not,” Iamaleva told ESPN. “Returning home was always on the back of my head. Just returning closer to my family; [it] He began to take my family to Tennessee. It was just a lot of trip. “
ESPN reported in April that the representation of Iamaleaava had been pressing for its null contract, which had previously paid $ 2.4 million per year and was ready to pay more than $ 8 million during its time in Tennessee, to increase to $ 4 million by 2025. The sources said that the Iamaleaava camp also arrived in Miami, Ole Miss and Oregon, among others, among others, about the last season after the last season after the last season.
“I don't talk about money issues,” said Iamaleava on Thursday. “I'm here for a ball and school.”
In the midst of those negotiations of null contracts, Iamaleava did not appear to a spring practice of Tennessee. Shortly after, coach Josh Heupel said the program was “following” from Iamaleva.
“I want to thank him for everything he has done since he has come here, as recruit and who was as a player and how he competed inside the building,” said Heupel at that time. “There is no one bigger than the power T. that includes me.”
On Thursday, Iamaleva called the events of that week “crazy” and said that the experience was “a lot” for him. After the division, Iamaleova quickly made his decision to transfer to UCLA. Campo Mariscal Joey Aguilar, who had been transferred to Westwood from the state of the Apalaches with the hope of becoming the head of the program, ended up transferring to Tennessee as a result.
“My mentality was to compete with who was there for the starting point,” Iamaleoava on Aguilar said. “I wish you anything more than the best. I know you will get the best fans. I hope you experience all the positive things I experienced.”
Iamaleva Redshirt in 2023 and launched for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns in its first season as a starter in 2024, which led to Tennessee to 10 victories and an appearance in the university football playoffs that ended in a first round defeat against the eventual national champion of Ohio State. Iamaleva is scheduled to be the head of the Bruins this season.
“The expectation is that it is better,” said Iamaleava. “I have to improve.”
UCLA comes from a 5-7 record in the debut season of coach Deshaun Foster. Foster said Thursday that he did not hesitate to add iamaleava to the list when the opportunity was presented.
“We are excited to have a playoff field marshal,” Foster said. “Just be able to return home and feel comfortable and be in a family atmosphere, I think the sky is the limit.”
