The Nico Iamaleava saga has ended by joining one of Penn State’s Big Ten foes.

Iamaleava, the quarterback who controversially left Tennessee in an NIL dispute, is set to transfer to UCLA, according to a Wednesday report from The Athletic.

Iamaleava spent two years at Tennessee before entering the transfer portal during the spring window following negotiations with the Vols over a new NIL deal. 

Iamaleava, who helped Tennessee reach the College Football Playoff last year, will now be UCLA’s new quarterback — and he’s slated to face Penn State. 

Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions will play UCLA on Oct. 4 at the Rose Bowl in what will be a showcase between two of the most talented quarterbacks in college football.

Iamaleava, the No. 1 recruit in the country in 2023, took over as Tennessee’s starting quarterback in 2024. He threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns, and it seemed as though the former five-star prospect was ready to take a major leap in 2025. 

But two days before Tennessee’s spring game, on3 reported that Iamaleava and Tennessee were in active negotiations over a new NIL deal. Iamaleava was absent from the next day’s practice, and Tennessee moved on from the quarterback. 

SEC rules prohibit intra-conference transfers during the spring portal window, so Iamaleava couldn’t go to one of Tennessee’s rivals. Instead, the California native will go to UCLA.