Nico Iamaleava doesn’t appear to be the only quarterback in the family who is set to switch schools this spring.
According to a report from 247 Sports’ Matt Zenitz on Monday night, former UCLA and Arkansas quarterback Madden Iamaleava is
“currently planning on entering the transfer portal.”
Arkansas four-star true freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava informed Arkansas today that he’s currently planning on entering the transfer portal, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Iamaleava, the younger brother of new Nico Iamaleava, flipped to Arkansas from UCLA in December… pic.twitter.com/kSZPNEWdcb
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 21, 2025
UPDATE on Monday Night: Madden Iamaleava is reportedly heading to UCLA to unite with his older brother Nico, according to a report from ESPN’s Chris Low.
Madden Iamaleava told Arkansas staff he plans to join his older brother at UCLA. https://t.co/fPdfpb8ltg
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 22, 2025
More from RTI: UCLA Quarterback Joey Aguilar Transferring To Tennessee Football
While Iamaleava hasn’t touched a game field yet as a collegiate athlete, his recruiting journey has already been long and full of twists. The class of 2025 four-star prospect originally committed to UCLA in late May 2024 but wound up flipping and signing with Arkansas on early signing day on Dec. 4, 2024.
Iamaleava enrolled in Fayetteville less than two months later, in late January 2025, and went through training camp with the Razorbacks this spring. After just a few short months with the Hogs, Iamaleava appears to be looking for a new team.
The Long Beach, California, native was ranked as the No. 271 overall prospect in the 2025 class, the No. 22 quarterback, and the No. 22 player in the state of California, according to 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings.
Madden Iamaleava’s reported transfer comes on the heels of brother Nico’s dramatic and public divorce with Tennessee over the last week. Tennessee decided to move on from Nico Iamaleava last Saturday before the spring game despite the quarterback leading the Volunteers to the playoffs last season. Iamaleava’s camp was reportedly looking for contract renegotiations, and Tennessee’s side decided it had had enough of the games.
Nico Iamaleava officially announced on Sunday that he is heading to UCLA, the same program that his brother, Madden, just flipped out of a few months ago.
Here’s a timeline of the Iamaleava’s interactions with UCLA:
- Feb 7, 2024: UCLA offers Madden Iamaleava
- May 25, 2024: Madden Iamaleava commits to UCLA
- Dec. 4, 2024: Madden Iamaleava flips from UCLA to Arkansas
- Apr. 16, 2025: Nico Iamaleava reportedly expected to commit to UCLA
- April 20, 2025: Nico Iamaleava officially announces signing with UCLA
- April 21, 2025: Tennessee reportedly lands ex-UCLA QB Joey Aguilar in the transfer portal
- April 21, 2025: Madden Iamaleava reportedly switches to UCLA
