Nick Saban has surprisingly changed his tune on quarterback Nico Iamaleava, whose career has been marked by a reported $1.5 million potential transfer and recent ties to the ACC. The shift comes as Iamaleava’s new team, UCLA, heads to Northwestern, hoping to rebound from a difficult 0-3 start under interim head coach Tim Skipper.
Despite UCLA’s recent 10-3 loss to New Mexico, some analysts, now including Saban, believe Iamaleava could spark a much-needed improvement.
Why Did Nick Saban Change His Stance on Nico Iamaleava Amid ACC Rumors?
The rivalry between Nick Saban and the Tennessee Volunteers was fierce and defined much of Saban’s legendary tenure at Alabama. The coach consistently dominated the Vols, with the major exception being their dramatic 52-49 victory over the Crimson Tide in 2022.
Saban stepped away from coaching in January 2024, just after Nico Iamaleava made his first start for Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa. Throughout Iamaleava’s time as the Vols’ quarterback, Saban never publicly rooted for him, but that has now changed.
During a recent “ESPN College GameDay” picks segment, Saban offered a surprising twist. While choosing UCLA as his “superdog” at +6.5 against Northwestern, the former Alabama coach delivered a rare show of support for the ex-Vols quarterback.
“I’m taking UCLA,” Saban said. “I’m going to have a heart to heart with Nico right here. I’ve never rooted for you the whole time you were at Tennessee, but I love your ass right now.”
Nick Saban had a message for Nico Iamaleava after picking UCLA as his Super Dog 😅 pic.twitter.com/MRLSQA2IUm
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 27, 2025
His lighthearted remark drew laughter from the panel, blending humor with a genuine endorsement of the quarterback. Saban’s support comes at a critical time for Iamaleava, who recently made headlines by transferring to UCLA. Reports initially pegged his NIL value at $1.5 million, though one source indicated the Bruins’ deal was higher than that figure but still less than what he made at Tennessee.
This situation has sparked discussion about his market value and potential future moves. College football analyst Aaron Torres weighed in on the speculation, suggesting another destination might have made sense.
“I do think Miami would make a little bit of sense, though, right?” Torres said on his YouTube channel. “And I think Miami obviously looks whatever we think of Mario Cristobal, and I think to his credit, he’s changing that narrative.” His comments reflected the ongoing speculation that Iamaleava’s NIL situation could open up future opportunities, possibly linking him to the ACC landscape.
Iamaleava’s college journey has been anything but simple. After waiting his turn in 2023, he became Tennessee’s starter the following year, guiding the Vols to the College Football Playoff before the team fell to Ohio State. His breakout season earned him a finalist spot for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award. However, an offseason financial dispute led him to leave Knoxville for UCLA, where he joined then-head coach DeShaun Foster.
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Unfortunately, UCLA’s 2025 campaign has been rough. The team started 0-3 under Foster, including losses to Utah and New Mexico in games they were expected to win. Following the poor start, Foster was dismissed, and Tim Skipper, a longtime assistant, stepped in as interim head coach.
Now, as the Bruins face Northwestern, they enter the matchup as heavy underdogs. With Saban’s unexpected backing, a win for Iamaleava would not only mark his first victory in blue and gold but also provide a needed boost for a program seeking a turnaround.
