Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is reportedly expected to transfer to UCLA, according to multiple reports.

The news was first reported by The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman and David Ubben. Sports personality Colin Cowherd also said in a post on X that Iamaleava is going to UCLA.

“Family claims it’s NOT about the (money bag emoji),” Cowherd posted. “It’s about the (Tennessee) offense. I was not told what the Bruins are paying.”

Iamaleava entered the transfer portal Wednesday, with some reports about a failed attempt to finalize negotiations with Tennessee regarding his NIL compensation package.

Last week, Iamaleava did not appear at a Volunteers practice. One day later, he was not on the roster for Tennessee’s Orange and White game, with coach Josh Heupel saying: “It’s the state of college football. At the end of the day, no one’s ever bigger than the program. That includes me too. And we got an opportunity. We got a bunch of guys that are going to give their all for Tennessee and we move forward, got a great group. Let’s go compete.”

He threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns with five interceptions while rushing for another 364 yards and three touchdowns as a 6-foot-6, dual-threat redshirt freshman and led the Vols to the College Football Playoffs. Tennessee lost to eventual national champion Ohio State 42-17 in the first round.

Iamaleava was the top-ranked overall recruit by On3 out of Warren High in Downey and threw for 1,726 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior before enrolling early at Tennessee.

UCLA’s quarterback room is already bustling with seven players at the position under first-year Bruins offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri.

Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar has been taking repetitions with the first-team offense throughout spring camp and was in position to take on the starting job.

“Joey’s done a good job from Week 1 to Week 2,” Bruins coach DeShaun Foster told reporters Monday. “It’s mostly him getting more comfortable with the offense and he’s showing that each practice, walkthrough — any time he’s out there, you’re seeing his leadership come out a little bit more.”

The 6-3, 220-pound dual-threat quarterback threw for 3,003 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior at Appalachian State and rushed for 249 yards and three touchdowns.

Foster also said Monday that there was a battle brewing for the backup quarterback spot and that 6-6, 205-pound redshirt freshman Luke Duncan has been “trying to come on strong.”

Duncan has yet to play in a college game but was a four-star recruit while at Miramonte High.

Iamaleava’s decision to enroll at UCLA could also affect the commitment decision of Brady Smigiel, a five-star 2026 recruit out of Newbury Park High.

Smigiel named UCLA as one of his top four schools in mid-March and had scheduled visits with the Bruins, Washington, South Carolina and Michigan, according to reports.