In the heart of Westwood, a quiet storm is building—and it has the potential to reshape the trajectory of UCLA football in the immediate future. New head coach DeShaun Foster, a UCLA legend in his own right, isn’t mincing words about what he believes the Bruins can accomplish in 2025. His confidence? It’s not coming from bravado, but from belief—one that’s been supercharged with the arrival of one of college football’s most electrifying young talents: former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
“This changes everything,” Foster said during a press conference late Monday. “Nico is the kind of guy you build a program around. We’re not just trying to compete—we’re trying to win now. Period.”
Those are strong words from a first-year head coach still settling into the big chair. But Foster’s message is clear: UCLA is done playing it safe. The program that once built legends like Troy Aikman and Cade McNown is aiming to rejoin the elite ranks of college football, and Foster believes the combination of fresh energy, player-driven culture, and a franchise-caliber quarterback gives them a real shot in 2025.
Iamaleava’s arrival in Los Angeles is a seismic moment, not just for UCLA, but for the entire college football landscape. The former five-star recruit and No. 2 overall player in the 2023 class had long been seen as the future of Tennessee football. Standing 6-foot-6 with a rocket arm, game-breaking athleticism, and off-the-charts charisma, Nico was the face of a new era in Knoxville. But with coaching uncertainty and a shifting offensive identity, the fit began to fracture. By spring 2025, the writing was on the wall.
When Iamaleava hit the transfer portal, there was no shortage of suitors. Oregon, USC, Miami, and even Alabama reportedly kicked the tires. But it was Foster and UCLA who made the strongest case—and now, the Bruins are poised to reap the rewards.
“I just felt like Coach Foster gets it,” Iamaleava said after making his commitment. “He’s played here, he’s done it at the highest level, and he’s building something that’s more than football. I wanted to be a part of that.”
That endorsement alone is telling. Foster, who served as UCLA’s running backs coach from 2017 to 2023, was named head coach earlier this year after Chip Kelly’s abrupt departure for an NFL offensive coordinator job. At the time, the decision raised eyebrows. Foster had no previous head coaching experience and was stepping into one of the toughest jobs in the country—a proud program with elite academic standards, limited NIL resources compared to SEC counterparts, and an increasingly competitive Big Ten schedule looming ahead.
But what Foster lacks in polish, he makes up for in passion and purpose. He’s been unrelenting in preaching toughness, unity, and a Southern California brand of football that blends physicality with flair. Iamaleava’s arrival is both a validation of that message and a catalyst to accelerate it.
“He’s a leader, man,” Foster said. “It’s not just about throwing the ball 70 yards—though he can do that, too. Nico brings poise, he brings command, and he makes everyone around him better. Our guys feel that. They believe.”
With Iamaleava under center, the Bruins suddenly look much more dangerous. The 2025 roster features a promising blend of returning talent and incoming transfers, including breakout receiver Josiah Kendrick, rising sophomore tight end Malik Crawford, and a fortified offensive line anchored by Oregon State transfer Kainoa Hall. Foster has also emphasized a ground-and-pound identity reminiscent of his own playing days, with bruising backs like Marquise Steele and Tre Jenkins expected to carry the load in the backfield.
Defensively, UCLA is still a work in progress, but the arrival of Michigan transfer LB Cameron Keyes and standout freshman safety Andre Ware could shore up the unit quickly. The Bruins gave up an average of 31.2 points per game in 2024, but Foster believes the energy has shifted on that side of the ball, too.
“You feel it in practice. Guys are flying around,” Foster said. “We’re not going to be out-toughed, and we’re not going to be out-prepared. That’s a promise.”
It’s an ambitious promise, especially given the challenges ahead. UCLA’s 2025 Big Ten schedule includes daunting road games at Michigan and Penn State, a home date with Ohio State, and a season-opener against an improved Arizona squad. But Foster isn’t backing down. In fact, he’s leaning in.
“People are going to doubt us. That’s cool,” he said. “Let them. We know who we are. We know what we’re building. And now we’ve got a guy like Nico who can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the country.”
Indeed, if Iamaleava performs the way many expect, UCLA may not just be a feel-good story—they could be a dark horse playoff contender. In limited action at Tennessee, he showcased elite arm talent and surprising polish, throwing for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns while splitting time with veteran QBs. His 5-TD performance in the 2024 Citrus Bowl win over Iowa hinted at his full potential.
Now, with a full offseason to master the Bruins’ scheme and take on a leadership role, Iamaleava could finally unleash the skill set that made him one of the most coveted high school quarterbacks in recent memory.
“Everything we’ve heard from scouts is that he’s got Sunday tools,” said a Pac-12-turned-Big Ten assistant coach who asked not to be named. “He just needs a system that lets him cook. UCLA might be that place.”
For Foster, this moment is personal. He knows what it’s like to carry the burden of expectation at UCLA. As a former star running back who racked up over 3,000 yards and 44 touchdowns in blue and gold, he understands what greatness looks like—and what it takes to achieve it. That’s why he’s gone all-in, building not just a team but a culture.
“I don’t care about outside noise. We’re going to do it our way,” Foster said. “That means investing in our players, trusting their voices, and holding ourselves to a standard. Nico fits that standard. So do the guys around him. That’s how we’re going to win.”
There’s a long way to go, of course. Spring practices are still underway, and fall camp will bring position battles, injuries, and new obstacles. But for the first time in years, there’s a palpable sense of belief around the UCLA program. Foster is embracing the pressure, Iamaleava is embracing the spotlight, and the Bruins are embracing each other.
“We’ve got something to prove,” Iamaleava said. “And we’re going to prove it together.”
Whether that leads to a Big Ten title, a playoff run, or simply the return of pride to the Rose Bowl, one thing is certain: the Bruins won’t be overlooked anymore. Not with a quarterback who could’ve gone anywhere and chose them. Not with a coach who bleeds blue and gold. And not with a team hungry to leave its mark.
This isn’t just a rebuild. It’s a revival. And with DeShaun Foster at the helm and Nico Iamaleava under center, UCLA football just might be ready to rise again.