UCLA interim coach Tim Skipper addressed the situation surrounding sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava, noting how his redshirt status has become central to discussions as transfer talk circles the program.
This season has now heightened significance for the Bruins, who sit at 0-4 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten. Ahead of their big matchup with No. 7 Penn State in Los Angeles, how is Iamaleava faring?
Tim Skipper Balances UCLA’s Redshirt Decisions While Evaluating Nico Iamaleava
UCLA interim head coach Tim Skipper met with reporters Monday over Zoom, just days before the Bruins host Penn State at the Rose Bowl on October 4. With the program sitting at 0-4 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten, questions about redshirt eligibility and transfer windows dominated much of the discussion.
Asked about whether any players had indicated plans to redshirt, Skipper was clear that no decisions had been made.
“Nobody’s told me that at this point,” he said. “As you know, this is totally fluid. It’s going to be fluid through the rest of the season, as far as when you get to your fourth game, you decide to keep going. But my whole thing on that is, that’s the rules. And if guys decide to do that, we’re not holding them hostage.”
He continued, “They can go ahead and do that. We’re coaching them hard. We’re showing them the blueprint to go win games, and that’s what we’re going to do. And people that want to be a part of it stay, and then guys choose to go the other way, they go the other way.”
For now, he added, the staff’s focus remains on improvement.
“Right now, that’s not been a big emphasis in anything that we’re doing day-to-day. It’s getting better and trying to get us a win.”
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The spotlight continues to fall on sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Skipper pointed to the Northwestern game as a sign of progress.
“I thought he settled in nicely. I thought him running and taking some contact and getting hits actually helps him. I think he enjoys that part of the game. I think it settles him down. He feels more part of it,” the coach explained.
“So, I like the way he progressed as the game went. Obviously, like all games, there’s plays he wish he could get back. But I like that we’re not turning the ball over and we’re being smart with it and doing things we need to do. So, he’ll keep getting better and better,” he added.
Iamaleava’s situation is further complicated by his eligibility. He already used his redshirt year in 2023 at Tennessee, meaning he cannot preserve another season this fall. Analysts believe that despite speculation, he will likely finish the season in Westwood before reassessing during the coaching search.
Being back in California offers appeal, though his transfer value is unlikely to reach the more than $2 million annually he reportedly earned with the Volunteers. One agent suggested a current range between the mid-six figures and $1 million.
