LOS ANGELES — Television camera crews awaited the man of the hour. Just days away from the start of the 2025 season, Nico Iamaleava was minutes away from addressing the media for the first time since Big Ten Media Day in Las Vegas.
A football field away, Iamaleava wasn’t ready. He wasn’t satisfied.
Rotating to his right in the metaphorical pocket as if he snapped the ball, he released a pass with vigor and intention.
Whoosh. The ball darted as the 6-foot-6 redshirt sophomore sent a pass to Kwazi Gilmer.
Snap. The sound of Iamaleava’s throw reaching Ezavier Staples gloves in the end zone.
The Bruins’ starting quarterback, who admitted his excitement of making his Rose Bowl debut Saturday, desired extra work Wednesday morning, polishing his execution days before facing off with, as he put it, Utah and defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley’s defense that “flies around.”
“If I miss a throw in practice, you know, I gotta rep that at least five times after,” said Iamaleava, the Tennessee transfer who will attempt to better his 19-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio from 2024. “I think just getting extra work in with the guys is always a good thing, and making sure we’re on the same page.”
When Iamaleava speaks, his teammates listen. Much like when Iamaleava stands at the podium at Drake Stadium, the media corps infusing his words into their notepads or recording devices, his teammates have needed to expedite belief in Iamaleava after his late spring arrival in Westwood.
Their new quarterback understands the task at hand, carving himself into a locker room that may have known his name and story, but not the person ahead of his transfer.
“It’s important, man – just the guys getting to know me,” the former Warren High star said. “I’m a new guy coming in, and in a short amount of time, I think them getting to know me, my leadership style, and how I lead the team has been great.”
Iamaleava recognizes that type of leadership needs to be on display throughout the season.
He moved from Long Beach to Westwood – rooming with his brother, freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava – and said he’s enjoyed bonding with more of his teammates off the field.
Learning how to speak like a leader, however, is a learning curve. Iamaleava said Wednesday that he doesn’t consider himself to be a “very loud” guy. The Long Beach local said offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri pushed him to become “outspoken” and set the tone for the team featuring more than 50 new players.
“Coach Tino let me know my voice is important,” Iamaleava said. “When I speak, everybody’s looking and everybody’s listening. … I’ve been doing an OK job at it. I think I still need to grow in that.”
Redshirt senior Garrett DiGiorgio, one of the five offensive linemen tasked with protecting Iamaleava, said he’s seen his signal caller’s leadership continue to develop.
DiGiorgio said Iamaleava is becoming more vocal, sharing tips on the field and rising in behind-the-scenes, breaking the huddle whether the team is within the Wasserman Football Center or on the practice field at Drake Stadium.
While Iamaleava may still be developing as a leader, his confidence is bleeding through his words ahead of his Bruin debut.
“I think if we execute well, man, we should dominate the game,” Iamaleava said.
